Plasma Physics
Plasma Physics glossary term

Gatchina Discharge

The Gatchina discharge is Russia's contribution to understanding long-lived plasma formations in atmosphere — relevant to plasma orb physics.

Plasma Physics Also: Gatchina Discharge, gatchina-discharge, Gatchina ball lightning Has Dossier → 2 sources

01 Definition

A new type of electrical discharge discovered in Gatchina, Russia (2000) that produces long-lived luminous formations with the same physical properties as natural ball lightning.

02 Detailed_Analysis

Discovered at B.P. Konstantinov St. Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics. The discharge produces luminous formations with near-100% production efficiency. The formations exhibit the same unique physical properties as natural ball lightning. Research reviewed by Shabanov in Physics-Uspekhi (2019).

03 Key_Facts

  • ▸ Discovered in Gatchina, Russia in 2000
  • ▸ Near-100% production efficiency of luminous formations
  • ▸ Same properties as natural ball lightning
  • ▸ Reviewed by Shabanov 2019

04 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

The Gatchina discharge was discovered in 2000 at the B.P. Konstantinov St. Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics (NRC Kurchatov Institute) in Gatchina, Russia. It produces luminous formations with near-100% production efficiency. The formations exhibit the same unique physical properties as natural ball lightning. The research was reviewed by G.D. Shabanov in Physics-Uspekhi Vol 62 (2019). This is Russia's contribution to understanding long-lived plasma formations in atmosphere, complementing the US ESTS research and the Chinese ball lightning soliton work.

07 Related_Entities (12)

08 Timeline_Mentions (10)

1948-01-01

Green Fireballs Near Sandia (1948-1950)

209 green fireball/orb sightings near Sandia New Mexico 1948-1950. Copper powder residue found as physical trace evidence. 116 pages of investigations released via PURSUE Release 2. Green fireballs ap

Historical
1958-06-01

Armour Research Foundation begins Air Force plasmoid program

Armour Research Foundation begins Air Force-funded plasmoid research under Contract AF 33(616)-5791, titled 'Research in the Measurements and Theory of Plasmoids and their Applications to Missiles and

Military Program
1960-12-01

Radio-Electronics reports AF plasmoid missile defense program

December 1960 Radio-Electronics magazine publishes 'Ball Lightning for Defense?' stating: 'Electronic fireballs of highly concentrated charged particles (plasma) might be used to destroy missiles... T

Disclosure
1961-03-01

Aerojet delivers 'Investigation of Pulsed-Train Plasmoid Weapons' final report (AD339084) — SECRET with RESTRICTED DATA

Aerojet-General Corporation completes final report AF08(635)-1671 under Air Force contract, catalogued at DTIC as AD339084. Born SECRET with bracketed paragraphs identified as RESTRICTED DATA (Atomic

Military Program
1985-01-01

ESTS Discovery — Self-Stable Plasma Toroid

Clint Seward (Electron Power Systems, Acton MA) discovers that plasma toroids can be self-stable in atmosphere with no external magnetic field. Initially called the Electron Spiral Toroid (EST). This

Discovery
1992-01-01

ESTS Patent Issued (US5773919A)

US Patent 5773919A issued to D. Clint Seward for the Electron Spiral Toroid. Priority date 1986-10-02. Assigned to Electron Power Systems.

Patent
1992-10-01

Nachamkin Force-Free Plasmoid Model

Jack Nachamkin (University of Dayton Research Institute) develops a 'heretofore unexplored solution of Maxwell's equations' for self-stable plasma orbs. Resonant sizes exist where the plasmoid does no

Research
1992-10-01

Nachamkin Force-Free Plasmoid Model (DTIC ADA257765)

Jack Nachamkin publishes 'Force-Free Time-Harmonic Plasmoids' under AFRL contract F04611-88-C-0020. The paper presents a heretofore unexplored solution of Maxwell's equations for time-harmonic waves i

Plasma Physics
1994-01-01

Handel publishes maser-caviton ball lightning theory

Peter Handel and Jean-Francois Leitner publish 'Development of the maser-caviton ball lightning theory' in Journal of Geophysical Research (99, 10689). Theory proposes ball lightning as soliton fed by

Research
2003-05-01

Davis Ball Lightning Study (AFRL)

Eric W. Davis (Warp Drive Metrics) publishes AFRL-PR-ED-TR-2002-0039 for AFRL/PRSP, Edwards AFB. Project manager: Dr. Frank Mead. JON 48470159. The study reviews Nachamkin's 1992 force-free plasmoid m

Research
View Full Timeline →

09 FAQ

What is Gatchina Discharge? ▾
A new type of electrical discharge discovered in Gatchina, Russia (2000) that produces long-lived luminous formations with the same physical properties as natural ball lightning.
Why does Gatchina Discharge matter? ▾
The Gatchina discharge is Russia's contribution to understanding long-lived plasma formations in atmosphere — relevant to plasma orb physics.
When did Gatchina Discharge appear in the research timeline? ▾
Gatchina Discharge is referenced in 10 timeline events, including "Green Fireballs Near Sandia (1948-1950)" (1948-01-01). The timeline provides chronological context for the development and application of this concept.
Which entities are associated with Gatchina Discharge? ▾
12 entities are associated with Gatchina Discharge in the network graph, including Gatchina Discharge, PLASMAK (Plasma Mantle Kernel), Harness Cavalier Program. Explore the network graph for full relationship mapping.
Is there a detailed dossier for Gatchina Discharge? ▾
Yes, Gatchina Discharge has a comprehensive intelligence dossier with deep dive analysis, source documents, and network connections. View the full dossier for complete intelligence assessment.

Quick_Facts

Category
Plasma Physics
Aliases
Gatchina Discharge, gatchina-discharge, Gatchina ball lightning
Sources
2
Graph Entities
12
Timeline Events
10