‘Microlightning’ between tiny methane bubbles may explain ghostly glow of will-o’-the wisps

Flashes of microlightning between microscopic bubbles of methane in water may ignite the eerie blue flames of will-o’-the ...
ZME Science on MSN

Scientists Finally Solve the Mystery of the Will-o’-the-Wisp With Bubbles and Lightning

For centuries, people have told tales about strange, flickering blue lights dancing over bogs and graveyards. Known as ignis ...

Marsh Will-o’-the-Wisps Sparked by Strange Chemistry

Whatever the name, for centuries people have reported seeing these eerie, faint blue flames hovering over marshes, bogs and ...
New Scientist on MSN

We may finally know what causes will-o’-the-wisps

Mysterious flashes of light seen in swamps and bogs could be caused by burning methane or other gases, ignited by sparks that ...

Centuries-Old Mystery of Will-o’-the-Wisps Cracked, Say Scientists

Researchers have discovered “a natural ignition mechanism” that may explain the origin of the eerie blue flames.
Science News

Here’s what might spark ghostly will-o’-the-wisps

Chemists have discovered tiny zaps of electricity moving between “swamp-gas” bubbles. Could they ignite methane gas to glow as dancing blue flames?

Chemists Crack the Ghostly Truth Behind Will-o’-the-Wisps

Scientists had long suspected methane had something to do with it. Turns out they were partly right.