SPORTS arenas of the future could be protected by water cannons—not to
control rampaging fans, but to deflect lightning strikes. In June, a group of
American engineers plan to fire supersonic jets of salty water towards storm
clouds in a bid to trigger lightning. If it works, they say their system could
ultimately be used to protect people and property from lightning strikes.
The National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, says lightning
hits around 600 people each year in the US—killing 100. The majority of
victims are in sports grounds or playgrounds when struck. The strikes lead…
