Atmospheric Electricity & Ball Lightning
Handel developed revolutionary theories explaining thunderstorm electrification and ball lightning through the polarization catastrophe mechanism and maser-caviton model. His polarization catastrophe theory (1980s-2007) demonstrated that clouds are inherently unstable and spontaneously develop multiple horizontal space charge layers when ice crystals nucleated on dust particles acquire giant dipole moments, explaining thunderstorm electrification without requiring pre-existing charge separation.
His maser-caviton ball lightning theory (1988-present) proposed that ball lightning is a self-sustaining plasma sphere fed by atmospheric maser radiation, explaining previously mysterious observations including controlled motion, passage through barriers, energy content, humming sounds, spiking behavior, and explosive damage. This work fundamentally changed atmospheric physics by providing the first rigorous physical mechanisms for these century-old phenomena.
Key Publications
#52
Polarization Catastrophe Theory of Cloud Electricity - A New Mechanism for Thunderstorm Electrification
J. Geophysical Research 90, 5857-5863 (1985)
#110
Maser-Caviton Ball Lightning Mechanism
Proc. VIII Int. Conf. on Atmospheric Electricity, Uppsala (1988)
#219
Proof of Cloud Instability With Respect to the Formation of Several Horizontal Space Charge Layers
ICAE 2003 Versailles
This paper presents proof of cloud instability with respect to the formation of several horizontal space charge layers. Handel demonstrates theoretically that atmospheric clouds are inherently unstable and will spontaneously develop multiple horizontal layers of separated electrical charge, contributing to the polarization catastrophe mechanism of thundercloud electrification and providing a physical basis for understanding the vertical electrical structure observed in cumulo-nimbus clouds and its role in lightning generation.
#220
Ball Lightning Discharge Fed by an Atmospheric Maser
ICAE 2003 Versailles
This paper by Handel, Grace, and Leitner examines ball lightning discharge phenomena fed by an atmospheric maser. The maser-caviton theory proposes that ball lightning is sustained by coherent microwave amplification (maser action) in the atmosphere, creating a stable plasma sphere or caviton that can persist for extended periods, explaining the observed luminosity, motion patterns, and energy content of ball lightning through a self-sustaining electromagnetic resonance mechanism coupled to atmospheric plasma dynamics.
#234
Motion of a BL Discharge Fed by an Atmospheric Maser
8th Int. Symposium on Ball Lightning, Taiwan (2004)
This paper by Handel, Carlson, Grace, and Leitner examines the motion of ball lightning discharge fed by an atmospheric maser, presented at the 8th International Symposium on Ball Lightning in Taiwan. The research develops the maser-caviton theory to explain observed ball lightning trajectories and motion patterns, proposing that electromagnetic phase gradients and momentum transfer from the atmospheric maser drive ball lightning movement, accounting for its ability to pass through windows, move against wind, and exhibit unusual hovering or erratic flight behavior.
#235
Electrostatic Ponderomotive Forces Cause Explosive Ball Lightning Damages
8th Int. Symposium on Ball Lightning, Taiwan (2004)
This paper by Handel, Carlson, Grace, and Leitner examines electrostatic ponderomotive forces as the cause of explosive ball lightning damages. The research proposes that intense electrostatic forces generated by charge separation in the ball lightning plasma structure can produce powerful mechanical effects on nearby objects, explaining observed cases where ball lightning causes explosive damage to buildings, equipment, or materials through electromagnetic pressure and sudden energy release rather than thermal effects alone.
#240
General Instability of Clouds with Respect to Formation of Horizontal Space Charge Layers (Invited)
2005 Joint Assembly, New Orleans
This invited paper by Handel, presented at the 2005 Joint Assembly in New Orleans, demonstrates the general instability of clouds with respect to formation of horizontal space charge layers. The research shows that atmospheric clouds are fundamentally unstable and will spontaneously develop stratified regions of separated electrical charge, providing the physical mechanism underlying thunderstorm electrification through the polarization catastrophe process and explaining the layered electrical structure observed in storm clouds preceding lightning discharges.
#241
Derivation of the Motion of Ball Lightning in the Maser-Soliton Theory (Invited)
2005 AGU Joint Assembly, New Orleans
This invited paper by Handel and Carlson, presented at the 2005 AGU Joint Assembly, derives the motion of ball lightning in the maser-soliton theory. The research develops mathematical equations describing ball lightning trajectories based on the coupling between atmospheric maser radiation and plasma soliton dynamics, explaining observed motion patterns including hovering, controlled movement, passing through narrow openings, and trajectory changes in response to electromagnetic field gradients and atmospheric conditions.
#246
Maser Caviton Ball Lightning Interaction Spiking with Cold Emission
9th Int. Symp. on Ball Lightning, Eindhoven (2006)
This paper by Handel, Carlson, and Leitner examines maser caviton ball lightning interaction spiking with cold emission, presented at the 9th International Symposium on Ball Lightning in Eindhoven. The research analyzes rapid energy fluctuations (spiking) in ball lightning resulting from nonlinear interactions between the atmospheric maser and plasma caviton, and explains observed cold electron emission from ball lightning surfaces through field emission mechanisms driven by intense electromagnetic fields at the plasma boundary.
#257
Ball Lightning With Spiking and Cold Emission in the Maser-Caviton Interaction
2007 AGU General Assembly, Acapulco
This paper by Handel, Carlson, and Leitner discusses ball lightning with spiking and cold emission in the maser-caviton interaction, presented at the 2007 American Geophysical Union General Assembly in Acapulco. The research combines analysis of temporal energy fluctuations (spiking behavior) with electron field emission processes in the maser-caviton ball lightning model, explaining observed luminosity variations, electromagnetic pulse generation, and surface discharge phenomena associated with ball lightning encounters with conducting objects or ground.
#258
Giant Dipole Moments of Submicron Ice Crystallites Cause Polarization Catastrophe and Sprites (Invited)
2007 AGU General Assembly
This invited talk by Handel, presented at the 2007 AGU General Assembly, examines giant dipole moments of submicron ice crystallites nucleated on dust particles as the cause of polarization catastrophe and sprites. The research proposes that ice crystals forming on aerosol particles in high-altitude clouds develop enormous electric dipole moments that drive the polarization catastrophe mechanism of thunderstorm electrification and also explains the generation of mesospheric sprites (transient luminous events above thunderstorms) through sudden electromagnetic pulses from lightning discharges.
#259
Polarization Catastrophe Contributing to Rotation and Tornadic Motion in Cumulo-Nimbus Clouds
2007 AGU General Assembly
This paper by Handel, presented at the 2007 AGU General Assembly, examines polarization catastrophe contributing to rotation and tornadic motion in cumulo-nimbus clouds. The research proposes that electrical charge separation through the polarization catastrophe mechanism generates large-scale electromagnetic forces and torques within thunderstorms that contribute to cloud rotation, mesocyclone development, and tornado formation, suggesting that electrical effects play a more significant role in severe weather dynamics than previously recognized in conventional meteorological theory.
#269
Understanding the Motion of Ball Lightning
Int. J. of Unconventional Electromagnetics and Plasmas, Vol 1 (1) (2008)
This paper by Handel, Carlson, and Leitner, published in International Journal of Unconventional Electromagnetics and Plasmas, focuses on understanding the motion of ball lightning. The work synthesizes theoretical developments in the maser-caviton model to explain observed ball lightning trajectories, including translational motion, hovering behavior, passing through barriers, and interaction with electromagnetic fields, providing a unified framework for understanding ball lightning kinematics based on electromagnetic momentum transfer and plasma soliton dynamics.
#310-312
The Humming and Motion of Ball Lightning (Parts 1-3)
VI Int. Conf. "Atmosphere, Ionosphere, Safety" (2018)
Pt 1: This paper by Handel and Splett examines the humming and motion of ball lightning Part 1, focusing on atmospheric maser spiking, presented at the VI International Conference "Atmosphere, Ionosphere, Safety". The research analyzes acoustic emissions (humming sounds) and rapid energy fluctuations (spiking) in ball lightning as consequences of the atmospheric maser mechanism, showing that periodic maser oscillations and their modulation produce both audible sound and electromagnetic pulses consistent with eyewitness reports of ball lightning behavior.
Pt 2: This paper by Handel and Splett examines the humming and motion of ball lightning Part 2, focusing on discussion and motion, presented at the VI International Conference "Atmosphere, Ionosphere, Safety". The research develops detailed theoretical predictions for ball lightning trajectories and acoustic signatures based on the maser-caviton model, explaining observed hovering, translational motion, and sound production through electromagnetic momentum transfer and acoustic wave generation from oscillating plasma structures.
Pt 3: This paper by Handel and Splett examines the humming and motion of ball lightning Part 3, focusing on experiments on the maser-soliton theory and a new cloud electrification process, presented at the VI International Conference "Atmosphere, Ionosphere, Safety". The research proposes laboratory experiments to test the maser-caviton ball lightning model and connects ball lightning physics to broader atmospheric electrical phenomena, discussing how the polarization catastrophe mechanism of cloud electrification relates to conditions favorable for ball lightning formation.