Why Does St. Elmo's Fire Appear on Ship Masts During Storms?

💡 The Answer

• St. Elmo's fire is a corona discharge that occurs when the electric field around a pointed object ionizes the air.
• Ship masts act as lightning rods, concentrating the atmospheric electric field to a point where breakdown occurs.
• The phenomenon was historically seen by sailors as a sign of protection from Saint Erasmus, the patron saint of sailors.
• A glowing brush of light appears at the tip without a thunderous sound, distinguishing it from lightning.