Talk:Dart leader

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[edit] Differences?

It's "similar to a step leader" but what makes it different?

[edit] Name correction suggestion Dark Leader -> Dart Leader

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Not sure where OP got his info, but all the references I find are titled Dart Leader, not Dark Leader. Dark Leaders sounds a bit Star Wars-ish. Recommend that if the article is to remain, it should be fleshed out with more info from as many reputable sites as possible, and the name corrected to 'Dart leader' to more accurately reflect the name of the actual lightning-related phenomenon. I'd do it myself, but have been feeling a bit Bitten over another recent article, so I don't know that I feel comfortable tinkering with the WP namespace, at this juncture. But, hopefully this is fairly uncontroversial. References:

Lightning generally forms as opposite charges move from their original locations in streamers toward some common central connection point. Generally a negative charge from clouds and a positive charge from the ground. When these streamers connect, having generally ionized the air inbetween, the streamers form a channel of ionized air through which current can flow. This creates a Return Stroke. However, multiple strokes can occur along the same conductive ionized Channel in rapid succession. The return strokes are generally preceded by Dart Strokes or Dart Leaders that travel along the same conductive channel(s) as the original Return Stroke.

This is also known as a Continuous Leader:

Mgmirkin 06:50, 29 August 2006 (UTC)


After googling, the only site I saw referring to Dark Leader in a lightning sense was this stub. All other sites of note seem to indicate Dart Leader. Seems exceedingly difficult to find any reference to Dark Leader on Google. Even with Feynman referenced... Closes I could find:

Anywho, that's all folks. I guess someone will be by to clean these up eventually? Assuming rough concensus is reached. It seems to be on the Step Leader page. Mgmirkin 17:39, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

I suggest if Dart Leader is already defined in the Lightning article, this article could simply be made a redirect, unless we want a fuller discussion of the 'thing' known as a Dart Leader in more detail than would be appropriate in the Lightning article. Or, alternately we could leave this article, flesh it out, add a redirect from Continuous Leader to Dart Leader (since they are synonymous; that is assuming this article does not become a redirect to Lightning), and also put in a "also known as" line with Continuous Leader included, as well as any other colloquioal names it might be known by in common parlance. Mgmirkin 06:56, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

Suggest also changing all references in article to read Dart Leader rather than Dark Leader, to ensure accuracy. Assuming everyone agrees with above reasoning. Thanks guys. Hopefully we can get this one taken care of quickly. Ohh, and also need to change reference on Step Leader from Dark LEader to Dart Leader. Speaking of which, Step leader should probably be Stepped Leader, which is, I think the common usage of that term. Have already made that suggestion there as well. Mgmirkin 07:24, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

Mgmirkin 17:55, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Serves to Ionize the Air?

Is this an accurate statement? My understanding was that once the stepped leader connects with a positive streamer or another object the channel is formed and the air is ionized. Why then does the air need to be re-ionized by the Dart Leader, if it's already ionized by the initial stepped leader and the lightning flash? I think the article needs toe be fleshed out a bit more and citations added. I'm sure plenty can be found at meteorology sites... MAybe NOAA if thay have a glossary, or AMS, etc. Mgmirkin 07:29, 29 August 2006 (UTC)