Pat Shingleton for Nov. 20, 2009
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Elmo is derived from Erasmus, and St. Elmo was a fourth-century martyr, the patron saint of sailors.
As noted in a previous Weather News, St. Elmo’s fire is a harmless glow appearing on high objects such as the topmast of a ship or the wing tips of a plane.
It forms when misty air ionizes around an object.
Electrons in the surrounding air are attracted toward these objects such as lightning rods or chimneys and a positive charge creates a green glow.
Ferdinand Magellan’s crew, weary of stormy weather, was on the verge of a mutiny during their voyage around the world.
Once they experienced St. Elmo’s fire on masts and spars, they believed it was a sign that they were entering calm seas.
Fastcast: Clouds, rain
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