Mike...   
      
   MR>I dunno if this is true, or even something I should post here. But there was   
     >alightning expert on one of the news channels the other day and he   
     >saidsomething that I just could not believe. He talked about the temperature   
     >oflightning, which I don't remember, but it was amazing. Also he said we see   
     >longstreaks when we see lightning, but in all actuality, it is only about th   
     >sizeof a pencil. Is that true?!? I just can't imagine that.   
      
     You are correct on both counts.   
      
     The temperature of a lightning strike is 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit...5 times   
   hotter than the surface of the sun.   
      
     And, it is that thin...coming up from the ground as a stepped leader, then   
   meeting with the stroke from the thundercloud.   
      
     Either way, you don't want to be hit...directly or indirectly. I myself have   
   been indirectly struck twice...but carry no charge and can be handled safely.   
      
      
     If you want details, I can post them in a later message.   
      
   Daryl   
      
   ---   
    # OLX 1.53 # 3 things fail with age. Memory is 1st; forgot the other 2   
    # GT 20.00 # Nobody ever forgets where he buried the hatchet.  -Kin Hubbard   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
                                                                                     
      
      
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