Spectrum of Lightning

Abstract

I HAD a good view of the spectra of lightning during the storm of yesterday. Frequently there was only one bright line visible, this being coincident with the nitrogen line. At other times there were several bright lines, sometimes with, and at other times without, the nitrogen line. Several flashes showed a continuous sprectrum without visible lines. My instrument was a small direct-vision spectroscope, but sufficiently powerful to divide the sodium line.