Knotted structures called skyrmions seem to mimic ball lightning

A new type of skyrmion simulates linked magnetic fields that may hold glowing orbs together, too

skyrmion illustration

GREAT BALL OF FIRE  Scientists created a knotted structure called a skyrmion (illustrated) that mimics the magnetic fields described in a proposed theory of ball lightning, electrical orbs sometimes observed during thunderstorms.

Heikka Valja

The physics behind a weird electrical phenomenon — glowing orbs of lightning — may be mimicked by something even stranger.