A new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research appears to have solved the mystery of how lightning is created, using math. Victor Pasko, a professor in the department of electrical engineering at Penn State University and the leader of this study, joined CBS News to discuss.

Researchers have published new findings that clarify the process behind lightning formation. The study, led by Professor Victor Pascoe from Penn State University and published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, describes a powerful chain reaction initiated by cosmic rays. This reaction involves high-energy photons and electrons, resulting in a rapid electron avalanche that leads to lightning. The initiation of lightning occurs extremely quickly, within one millionth of a second, and resembles a domino effect at the particle level.

The study also helps explain previously puzzling features of lightning, such as regions that emit gamma rays and X-rays but remain optically dark and radio silent. The research suggests that the mechanisms uncovered could have broader applications beyond lightning, potentially influencing future developments in plasma science and X-ray technology.

New study explains how lightning bolts are created

Scientists have long understood what happens in the clouds when lightning bolts appear, but have never been able to precisely explain how lightning is created until now. A new study published Monday in the Journal of Geophysical Research appears to have solved this mystery using math. It details the powerful chain reaction that occurs in the atmosphere to spark the creation of a lightning bolt. Victor Pascoe is joining us now. He's the professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Penn State University, and he led this study. Victor, thank you for being here. How exactly did you and your team figure this out? Yeah, thank you for this opportunity. So we discovered this, we believe for the first time, this powerful chain reaction which leads to lightning initiation. It combines cosmic rays, so we believe that cosmic rays initiate this reaction, and also involves very high-energy photons and electrons. And what is really fascinating about this mechanism which we published is that initiation occurs on a very short timescale. So if you think it takes only one millionth of a second for lightning to initiate. And the way it works, it works like a domino effect. So you can think about high-energy domino when you really just touch it, and then it develops in a very powerful electron avalanche leading to lightning. So tell me then, how should all of us earthlings be interpreting this study? What should this mean to us? Yeah, so I think that this study really provides additional insight on physics and situation in our everyday environment on Earth's planet. And we believe that we are able to uncover some really interesting terminology related to lightning. For example, Professor Nikolai Ostgaard and his team recently conducted research using a high-altitude NASA ER-2 airplane to get very close to lightning discharge. And what they discovered is that lightning appears to be producing, this lightning initiation region produces a lot of gamma rays and X-rays, but these regions at the same time appear to be optically dark and also radio silent. So all of us know that lightning usually associated with optical flash and radio noise. So our model actually allows to explain these peculiar features of lightning. So also, while we worked on this research, a lot of interesting ideas appeared which are going beyond lightning research. Like what? Yeah, so this photoelectric effect which we studied, we believe can be applicable also in relatively small volumes and may lead to some new interesting ideas in plasma science and engineering in research which is in fields which are different from lightning. For example, we are thinking in small volumes, this powerful domino effect can lead to X-ray emissions and potentially we can produce new X-ray sources in the future. Well, it's amazing that it takes one millionth of a second and so much research goes into it. Professor Pascoe, thank you so much for your time today.

A gunman opened fire on Monday inside a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper housing the NFL headquarters and offices of several financial firms, including Blackstone, killing four people before fatally shooting himself, New York City officials said.

New York

Gunman kills four in Manhattan skyscraper, then takes own life

Ukraine says Russia's overnight air strikes hit a prison in Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, killing at least 17 people. Another 35 were injured. Authorities say the attacks destroyed the jail buildings and damaged several nearby houses.

Zaporizhzhia

Ukraine Invasion

Russian air strikes hit a prison in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, 17 killed

Russia launched yet another attack on Ukraine overnight, with more than 300 drones and seven missiles. While most of the barrage was intercepted, the attacks prompted President Trump to give his Russian counterpart an ultimatum.

Moscow

Trump gives Putin new deadline to end Ukraine war

A gunman killed at least one police officer and shot a handful of other people Monday in the heart of New York City. CBS News New York has the latest details.

Gunman kills police officer, wounds others in Midtown Manhattan

The suspect in the Michigan Walmart stabbing attack that injured 11 people over the weekend pleaded not guilty Monday to terrorism and assault charges.

Traverse City

Suspect pleads not guilty in Walmart stabbing attack

The U.S. Department of Justice says it took down child abuse websites that had more than 120,000 members and contained millions of files. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane explains how the arrest of one suspect nicknamed "Boss" was a huge priority for the FBI.

Washington

U.S. Justice Dept. shuts down four child abuse websites

Five people, including security guards, were killed by a gunman at Bangkok's Or Tor Kor market on Monday. The shooter, who injured two others, later killed himself, according to authorities.

Bangkok

Gunman kills five at busy Bangkok fresh food market

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “unconditional” ceasefire starting at midnight, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on July 28, a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes.

Kuala Lumpur

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire

Truckloads of food reached hungry Gazans on July 28 after Israel promised to open secure aid routes, but humanitarian agencies warned vast amounts more were needed to stave off starvation.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Food arrives in Gaza after Israel pauses some fighting

Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials will resume talks in Stockholm to try to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the center of a trade war, aiming to extend a truce by three months and keeping high tariffs at bay.

Stockholm

U.S.-China trade truce extension seen, may ease way for Trump-Xi meet

A train derailment in southern Germany killed at least three people and injured others. The cause is under investigation, with weather possibly a factor.

Riedlingen

German train derails, killing at least three people

Israel has agreed to limit fighting in parts of Gaza and would allow more aid into the region, but both moves are facing criticism for being too little too late.

Israel announces daily pauses in Gaza fighting as aid trickles in

Abnormally high temperatures combined with heat and drought have fuelled destructive wildfires in parts of Europe, forcing thousands to be evacuated.

Athens

Heat fuels destructive wildfires in parts of Europe

Michigan officials say they will file terrorism charges and 11 charges of assault with intent to murder against the man who allegedly carried out a knife attack at a Walmart on Saturday. Lana Zak reports.

Garfield Township

Suspect in Michigan stabbing rampage to face terrorism charges

FAA investigators are in Denver after passengers and crew aboard an American Airlines flight were forced to evacuate when a tire blew during takeoff and the plane's rapid deceleration caused a brake fire, the airline said. Elise Preston reports.

Denver

Passengers evacuate burning plane in Denver

President Trump announced Sunday that the U.S. and European Union have come to a trade agreement after high-stakes meetings in Scotland. Weijia Jiang reports.

Edinburgh

Global Tariffs

Trump announces trade agreement with the European Union

Israel says it will now establish secure routes through the war zone in Gaza so aid convoys won't be shot at or looted. Elizabeth Palmer reports.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel says it will establish secure routes for Gaza aid

U.S. President Donald Trump played golf Saturday at his course on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American president.

Protesters in Scotland take to the streets to decry Trump's visit

Following four days of border clashes which have left over 30 people dead, the two sides have agreed to Malaysia acting as a mediator in the conflict.

Thailand, Cambodia to meet in Malaysia for ceasefire talks

Protesters gathered in front of the U.S. consulate in Edinburgh to oppose President Trump's visit to Scotland. Mr. Trump plans to host the U.K.'s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, for trade talks at his personal properties.

Demonstrators protest Trump's visit to Scotland

The Israeli military said Saturday that it will resume aid airdrops into Gaza and open humanitarian corridors for United Nations convoys amid increased international pressure and accounts of starvation-related deaths in the territory.

Israel says airdrops of aid into Gaza will begin

Tens of thousands flee as border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand intensifies — with no ceasefire in sight.

Preah Vihear Province

Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand

Typhoon Co-May has moved away from the Philippines but many low-lying areas are still severely flooded. Three storms dumped a months’ worth of rain in a span of a week on nearly the entire country.

Manila

At least 30 killed in Philippines typhoon

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she will meet US President Donald Trump on Sunday in Scotland to "discuss transatlantic trade relations."

Glasgow

Ursula von der Leyen to meet Donald Trump to discuss trade

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at dramatically changing how the U.S. approaches homelessness.

Trump signs executive order changing U.S. approach to homelessness

Typhoon Co-May has left a trail of destruction across the Philippines, making landfall in the country's northwestern region. Torrential rains and strong winds have battered towns and cities, damaging homes, roads, and farmland. At least 25 people have been reported dead.

Pangasinan

Philippines hit hard by Typhoon Co-May, dozens killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Palestinian militant group Hamas, a day after withdrawing their delegations from talks.

Netanyahu, Trump appear to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump is spending five days in Scotland visiting his luxury golf resorts. While the White House touts the economic impact, some locals say the developments have scarred the land and stirred controversy.

Trump visits Scotland to tour golf courses amid protests

The U.S. Department of Justice is set to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's convicted accomplice, amid mounting political pressure on President Donald Trump over his administration's handling of the Epstein case.

Breakdown