Spherical flames in space could solve the mystery of soot-free fires
Scientists can’t yet explain why certain blazes burn clean
![space flame](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/052219_ec_space-flame_feat.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
BALL OF FIRE In space, flames are spherical (shown), rather than elongated. That property could help scientists study how certain fires burn without soot.
Richard Axelbaum, NASA