What causes St Elmo's fire at sharp points

St. Elmo’s fire glows around sharp tips

St. Elmo’s fire appears when a strong electric field makes the air around an object glow. Sharp points make the electric field stronger, so the glow often forms around things like ship masts, church spires, and horns. In moist air, it begins at about 100 kV/m.

Cold, salty seawater can sink through the ocean

Seawater gets heavier when it becomes colder or saltier. In places where surface water becomes cold and salty enough, it sinks beneath the water around it and helps drive deep ocean currents.

India’s mountains and desert help shape its rainfall

The Himalayas block cold winds from Central Asia, helping keep much of India warmer. The Thar Desert helps pull in wet summer winds from the ocean, bringing the monsoon rains that provide most of India’s rainfall from June through October.

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What causes St Elmo's fire at sharp points

St. Elmo’s fire glows around sharp tips

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