Last year, researchers in São José dos Campos, Brazil were able to capture the exact moment that several buildings' lightning rods reached out to meet descending lightning bolts in midair. In other words: the lightning rod managed to contain lightning — with lightning. Benjamin Franklin invented lightning rods in the 18th century, but the details of how lightning rods function are still the subject of scientific research. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the goal of the São José dos Campos-based study was to closely examine the efficacy and function of building-mounted lightning rods. It's ElectricBut fascinatingly, lightning rods aren't the only objects that launch electrical charges to meet oncoming lightning bolts.

Source: New York Times March 28, 2023 22:54 UTC