50 years ago, the sun’s influence on Earth’s lightning was revealed
Excerpt from the June 22, 1974 issue of Science News
![lightning and purple sky over Monument Valley in Arizona](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/060724_cm_50ya-lightning_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Cyclical bursts of solar radiation seem to enhance lightning strikes on Earth, mounting evidence suggests. But the mechanism remains unclear.
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