Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum

Lightning Is Creating Antimatter In The Atmosphere
http://www.iflscience.com/physics/lightn...tmosphere/

EXCERPT: [...] Not only did they pick up on high levels of gamma radiation matching several lightning strikes, but they also picked up on very specific energy signatures that followed on shortly thereafter. These signatures could only be matched to one very specific set of situations. Unstable carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopes were being produced by gamma ray interactions. They then naturally emitted neutrons, neutrinos and antimatter poistrons. This antimatter was then quickly and explosively annihilated upon making contact with electrons. This study provides the first unequivocal evidence that lightning can generate nuclear reactions within our atmosphere....

MORE: http://www.iflscience.com/physics/lightn...tmosphere/

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The Worst Theoretical Prediction in the History of Physics
https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/20...ysics.html

EXCERPT: [...] An so, quantum physicists are in a bit of a pickle. Making slight tweaks to theoretical estimates narrows the ginormous gap considerably, but our best theories from quantum mechanics still overestimate the influence of dark energy by sixty orders of magnitude.

"Yes, we're clueless," astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson admitted in his recent book Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. "But it's not abject cluelessness. Dark energy is not adrift, with nary a theory to anchor it. Dark energy inhabits one of the safest harbors we can imagine: Einstein's equations of general relativity."

The observed energy density of empty space fits wonderfully within the standard model of Big Bang cosmology, which satisfyingly accounts for the cosmic microwave background, the abundance of basic elements, and the acceleration of the expansion of the universe. At the core of the standard model lies general relativity, one of the most successful theories ever devised. So in the battle of dark energy vs. quantum mechanics, dark energy unquestionably has the upper hand....

MORE: https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/20...ysics.html

"They then naturally emitted neutrons, neutrinos and antimatter poistrons."

Poistrons? The antielectron of venomous creatures?

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Quantum physicists only tackle dark energy because vacuum fluctuations seem an enticing source. But since both operate in vastly different domains, I see no empirical reason to relate the two...other than the hope for a theory of quantum gravity.

@ Lightning

If such reactions are present, it's not so much a product of the lightning itself but the medium in which it transverses which says a lot about what "exotics" currently exist in our atmosphere. Those exotics probably exist from the many nuclear tests and disasters that our world has currently endured, and it begs the question as to just how much damage to not just the ecosystem but world-wide health nuclear usage has had.

I've seen nothing that would lead me to fear nuclear power, and a lot that leads me to think it would be better for the environment.

(Nov 25, 2017 09:41 PM)Syne Wrote: [ -> ]I've seen nothing that would lead me to fear nuclear power, and a lot that leads me to think it would be better for the environment.

I wouldn't suggest "fearing" nuclear power. "Nuclear tests and disasters" aren't the same as Nuclear power. As long as the Nuclear cooling towers don't output radioactive isotopes then they shouldn't be a problem, and if that does become a problem then those plants are usually locked down pretty quick.

If nuclear plants operate within operating parameters then they are perfectly safe. There is always disputes of this in regards to how waste materials are disposed of though, which is why Green Energy is seen as friendly and why Fusion power (reactions with little or no waste) is something that people want to eventually harness.