It is obvious that something called ball lightning does exist.  Beyond that simple fact, little is known about this phenomenon.  Whatever the cause of ball lightning, it is rapidly garnering interest among amateurs and professional researchers alike.  Much of the fascination surrounding ball lightning comes from reading eyewitness accounts of experiences with this strange phenomenon.  Refer to my Links page to find other pages with accounts.  Maybe one day after greater research is available, a more feasible explanation for ball lightning will be proposed.  Until then most of the information on ball lightning comes from eyewitness accounts.  If you have witnessed ball lightning, a thorough questionnaire can be found at the TORRO website. Unfortunately, a great percentage of those who witness ball lightning are afraid that they will become an object of derision should they mention their encounter.  Ball lightning will only be better understood once people have overcome this fear of embarrassment.