First-Ever Capture of Glowing Trees During Storms
First-Ever Capture of Glowing Trees During Storms
US · Published Apr 22, 2026
First-ever images captured of trees glowing during thunderstorms due to corona discharge.
Corona discharge occurs when strong electric fields ionize air around leaves, emitting ultraviolet light.
Research validates theories about electrical activity in forests and opens new avenues for studying plant physiology.
Penn State captures glowing trees during thunderstorms
Penn State researchers have achieved a groundbreaking feat by capturing the first-ever images of trees glowing during thunderstorms, a phenomenon known as corona discharge. This rare event was observed in North Carolina on sweetgum and loblolly pine trees. Corona discharges are caused by intense electrical fields during storms, which create small electrical pulses at the tips of leaves, resulting in a visible glow in ultraviolet light.
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