Talk:Naga fireballs

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[edit] More explanation

I felt that the article needed a better explanation on the makeup and possible causes of the fireballs.

I found this information:

"But, on the other hand, science has challenged folk belief in the fireballs and fired a controversy. It began with skepticism by one of Nong Khai’s own citizens, Dr. Manas Kanoksilpa, who for a decade has conducted scientific experiments to explain the fireball phenomenon. Dismissing a human hand in their creation (a charge initially levelled at the villagers), he says that the Bang Fai Phaya Nak are globules of methane and nitrogen formed from decomposed organic matter trapped in pools deep beneath the Mekong. When the balls break the water’s surface, they self-combust and remain alight until they eventually run out of fuel and fade. This is the explanation generally given for the formation of swamp gas and will-o’-the-wisp.

In 2002, the Ministry of Science and Technology appointed a committee of experts to study the issue. The team collected soil and water samples, developed a submarine robot to probe the riverbed, and set up eight gas-collecting and gas-monitoring stations in swamps and rivers where sightings had been reported. After a two-year study, they concurred with Dr. Manas that the fireballs are caused by the sun warming organic matter on the riverbed, causing it to decompose into flammable phosphine and methane gas and combust in the presence of ionised atomic oxygen. This explains why the fireballs are of uniform colour, do not emit flares, smoke or sound, and eventually dissipate without a trace."

more info here: http://www.tatnews.org/emagazine/2215.asp —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.67.1.52 (talk) 23:19, 14 June 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Merge with Nāga

It has been proposed that Phaya Naga be merged with Nāga. I'm greatly in favor of a merger, even to include Naga fireballs, as it would help greatly in editing Rocket Festival and Funan. But then there's that paranormal tag.... I've been told by someone who has been there that the event is just a tourist draw on the Thai side, but on the Lao side, still an event imbued with religious awe, which should rate this article a Buddhist swastika.Lee 16:46, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

Disagree. While I am in favor of the Phaya Naga and Nāga merger, which makes sense because Phaya Naga is duplicative, I feel the Naga fireballs is a unique enough phenomenon on its own to warrant its own article. How does merging the fireballs article with Nāga help in the editing of Rocket Festival and Funan? Perhaps Naga fireballs could even be expanded? — WiseKwai 18:56, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

Agree with Disagree. It wouldn't help all that much. Pawyilee 03:52, 30 June 2007 (UTC)