One thing that immediately becomes obvious when compiling data about ball lightning is that its attributes can be quite varied.  Many eyewitness accounts would seemingly contradict each other.  For example, although ball lightning is normally observed during thunderstorm activity, reports of its occurrence in broad daylight are not uncommon.  It has been seen originating at the point of impact of an ordinary lightning strike, hanging in mid-air between the ground and a thunder head, and even descending from a cloud to the ground.  Ball lightning is usually spherical in shape, between a centimeter and a meter in diameter, and comes in every color of the rainbow.  No one color seems to be characteristic of ball lightning.  It is not unheard of for ball lightning to change both its size and color.  Though it is not especially bright, it is easily seen in daylight.

Ball lightning lasts usually under five seconds yet can go on for as long as a minute.  It can move at speeds of several meters per second. . .or simply sit still.  Many reports describe ball lightning as spinning or rotating; others say that a lack of asymmetry makes it impossible to tell if the ball lightning is moving on its axis.

Oddly enough, these "great balls of fire" do not possess many of the physical attributes of combustibility.  There have been almost no reports describing a sensation of heat surrounding ball lightning.  Although some reports depict ball lightning as burning barns and melting wires, others claim that it is capable of passing through windows and other non-conductive materials with little or no damage.  Ball lightning does, however, seem to be attracted to metallic objects, just as ordinary lightning is.

Ball lightning is almost always described as having a repugnant smell.  The odor is said to be sharp, resembling ozone, burning sulphur, or nitric oxide.

When its short lifespan comes to a close, ball lightning usually decays in one of two ways.  Sometimes it disappears rapidly with the addition of a loud noise.  At other times it dissipates slowly and silently. Ball lightning is occasionally reported to break up into several smaller balls. Others describe that a hazy mist or residue remains where the lightning was.

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