Lichtenberg Figure – Frozen Lightning

About This Photograph

Obviously this isn't an astrophotograph, but it seemed awesome enough that it would be worth sharing. A Lichtenberg figure is the pattern made by an electrical discharge. This is a photograph of such a figure captured in clear acrylic. The acrylic is first bombarded by high-energy electrons from a particle accelerator. These electrons become trapped in the plastic, and a large amount of charge builds up. Then the acrylic block is struck at the bottom with a nail connected to earth ground, resulting in a sudden discharge of all of the captured charge. The result is this pattern, captured permanently in the block.