Researchers in China measured the first spectrum of ball lightning. They observed ball lightning form after a cloud-to-ground lightning strike about 900 meters away. The spectrum contained emission lines from silicon, iron, and calcium, elements common in soil. This supports the theory that ball lightning is formed when lightning vaporizes soil, producing glowing nanoparticles. It was about 2 meters wide and drifted horizontally for 30 meters before rising a few meters. This is the first direct observation of ball lightning forming from a lightning strike and the first measurement of its emission spectrum.