For centuries, sailors, pilots, and mountain climbers have reported witnessing an eerie, bluish-purple glow dancing on the tips of ship masts, airplane wings, and mountaintops. This fascinating phenomenon is known as St. Elmo’s Fire — a weather-related plasma event that has inspired awe, superstition, and scientific inquiry. 🌩️ What is St. Elmo's Fire? 🌠St. Elmo’s Fire is a corona discharge — an electrical weather phenomenon that occurs when the atmosphere becomes electrically charged , especially during thunderstorms. When the electric field around a pointed object (like a ship mast or a plane’s wing) becomes intense enough, it ionizes the air molecules nearby. This results in a plasma glow —often blue or violet—visible to the human eye. Contrary to its name, St. Elmo’s Fire is not fire at all. It is a type of cold flame , meaning it emits light without a significant rise in temperature. It has more in common with auroras and lightning than with combustion. The glow ...