Scientists take first picture of thunder

Acoustic wave maps give insight into physics of lightning

thunder image

BOOM CLAP  Scientists captured the first acoustic image of thunder (right) emanating from an artificially triggered lightning strike (left). Warmer colors indicate louder measured sound waves.

Univ. of Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, SRI

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MONTREAL — For the first time, scientists have precisely captured a map of the boisterous bang radiating from a lightning strike.