How optical model of ball lightning explains its paradoxical movement upwind

Abstract

We show that the mysterious movement of ball lightning against the wind, registered by many observers, cannot be explained by well-known theories and hypotheses about the nature of ball lightning, in which ball lightning consists of particles (clusters, silicon nanoparticles, electrons, ions). Whatever the processes and internal content of the luminous ball, its movement in the earth's atmosphere in accordance with the laws of Newton is determined by external forces. The known types of external forces (gravity, buoyancy, Stokes force in air flow) are not able to cause the movement of any object against the wind. Moreover, the force of air resistance will cause the movement of the object in the direction of the wind. We take into consideration optically induced forces arising at an interaction between the light and matter. Usually these forces are very small and considerable efforts are required to measure them. These forces increase by billion times in the optical model of ball lightning where the circulating light crosses the same cross section billion times per second. We have already explained how ball lightning penetrates a room through narrow gaps and holes, through window panels, why it bypasses obstacles, the behavior of ball lightning near the surface of the earth. In this publication, we explain why ball lightning can move against the wind. We believe that such an explanation will be the last step to the general recognition that the optical model of ball lightning correctly describes its physical nature.