Scientists led by the University of Groningen have accidentally observed how commercial airplanes release static electricity while flying through clouds. Using the LOFAR radio telescope network, the team detected radio wave emissions from a Boeing 777, traced mainly to the engines and a point on the tail, rather than the usual discharge wicks. The finding, published in Nature Communications, offers valuable insight for the aviation industry and also helped researchers improve lightning detection techniques. The study shows that radio telescopes can now be used to directly study how aircraft accumulate and safely release electric charge during flight.
