Sanyo VPC-GH4 camcorder Dual - Camera Full HD

Sanyo VPC-GH4 camcorder Dual - Camera Full HD

Sanyo VPC-GH4 is the latest camcorder Dual-Camera Full HD launched by Sanyo that can be used to record video and also took photos. Quite unique as they call it Dual-Camera because this camcorder can able to 2 functions zoom, one for the camcorder and another for digital camera functions.

Sanyo VPC-GH4 has a 10x dual-range zoom for video and 5x optical zoom for digital camera. For the video itself, this camcorder can take video images with Full HD formats (1080p, 60i), while for the photos could produce 10 MP.

Another advantage of this camcorder is an advantage for those of you who like to share videos to social networking or YouTube also because in it there is already an application to make it easier to share video or photos.

Applications are already installed in this camcorder allows us to upload videos and photos easily without having to install the application into a PC, so on any computer you can upload videos and photos.

You only need to connect the camcorder to any computer via a USB connection then in a flash application on the camcorder will appear and can immediately start uploading videos/photos.

Other specifications are:
- 2.7-inch screen size that can be rotated (swivel)
- High Speed Sequential Photo Mode
- Video and Photo Image Stabilizer
- Take photos at the time was taking / recording video
- SDXC Memory Compatibility (over 64GB SD Cards)
- Can also use the Eye-Fi memory card.
- Highly Advanced AVC/H.264 Video Compression MPEG4
- Lithium battery that can be used till 60 minutes to record video

One more advantage, the price Sanyo VPC-GH4 is also affordable at US $199.99.

Asus-Lamborghini Eee PC VX6 Netbook Review

Asus-Lamborghini Eee PC VX6 Netbook Review

Asus finally release the Atom-powered Asus-Lamborghini Eee PC VX6 netbook. This ultra portable 12.1-inch laptop is co-designed by Lamborghini and inspired by the superstar Murcielago LP640 Roadster. It packs an dual core Intel Atom D525 1.8GHz processor and NVIDIA’s ION 2 graphics and Optimus graphics switching technology for optimal performance and improved energy efficiency.

The Asus-Lamborghini VX6 also gets Bang & Olufsen Icepower speakers and SRS Premium surround sound. The netbook has a 12.1-inch HD LED-backlit display. It comes with the new USB 3.0 ports and Bluetooth 3.0 wireless technology for faster yet low power wireless fata transfer. WiFi is supported, of course.

The Asus-Lamborghini Eee PC VX6 is available in the UK now for GBP499.

Ten Most Stylish Laptops Specifications and Details

Ten Most Stylish Laptops Specifications and Details

MACBOOK AIR

Specification:

* Multi-touch trackpad, built-in iSight webcam, and up to 4.5-hour battery life
* 13.3-inch glossy LED-backlit screen
* 128 GB solid-state hard drive
* 2 GB of RAM (maximum capacity)
* 1.86 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
* NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics with 256 MB of shared memory
* One USB 2.0, built-in Wi-Fi (802.11n draft plus 802.11b/g)
* Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Mini DisplayPort
* Preloaded with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system and iLife ‘08 suite of applications

DELL ADAMO

Specification:

* 13 inch High Definition WLED Display
* Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 (1.2GHz, 3MB cache, 800Mhz FSB)
* 2GB DDR3 RAM
* 128GB SSD
* 3 Year In Home Warranty
* Built in 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
* Ultraslim, Precision Machined aluminum chassis
* Integrated Intel Media Accelerator X4500HD Graphics Card
* Wireless N Mini Card with Bluetooth 10/100/1000 Ethernet
* Backlit Keyboard
* 4 Cell Battery
* High Definition Audio 2.0 Stereo Speakers Included
* Lithium polymer battery
* Dimension : .65 inches thick

* Vista Home Premium 64 Bit Operating System SP1 * Software: Microsoft Works, Roxio Creator 10 Dell Edition, Adobe Reader 9, and 30 Day McAfee SecurityCenter with Anti virus, Anti spyware, Firewall.

MACBOOK PRO

Specification:

* 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
* 250 GB hard drive
* 2 GB DDR3 RAM (4 GB max)
* DVD/CD SuperDrive
* Dual NVIDIA graphics (integrated and discrete)
* Draft-N Wi-Fi
* Bluetooth 2.1
* Gigabit Ethernet
* Mini DisplayPort video output
* Preloaded with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system and iLife ‘08 suite of applications

SONY VAIO Z

Specification:

* Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor (2.26GHz), 3MB L2 cache
* Genuine Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1/XP downgrade
* 13.1? widescreen LCD with XBRITE-DuraView technology & LED backlight
* 3GB of pre-installed RAM & a roomy 250GB Serial ATA hard drive
* Biometric fingerprint scanner & hybrid graphics system

Macbook

Specification:

* 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
* 2 GB RAM (4 GB max)
* 160 GB hard drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive
* Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Operating System
* 13.3-inch LED-backlit glass display, Integrated NVIDIA graphics (with 256 MB shared memory)

ACER ASPIRE ONE – SAPPHIRE BLUE

Specification:

* Linux and Windows XP versions
* 1.6GHz N270 Intel Atom Processor
* 1 GB DDR2 533MHz
* Windows XP Home SP3
* 8.9? 1024 x 600 WSVGA glossy LED backlit display
* 120GB 2.5? 5400RPM Hitachi Hard Drive (with SDHC storage expansion slot)
* 802.11b/g Atheros Wireless
* 3-Cell 23Wh battery
* Size: 9.75? x 6.625? x 1.28 inch
* Weight: 2lb 5.0oz

MSI WIND

Specification:

* 1.6GHz Intel Atom Processor
* 10inch WSVGA (1024 x 600) LCD
* Windows XP Home Operating System
* Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics
* 1GB 667MHz DDR2 Memory
* 80GB 2.5? SATA Hard Drive
* Wireless: 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0
* 3-Cell 11.1v 2200mAh Battery
* Size: WxDxH 10.2 x 7 x 1.3 inch
* Weight: 2lbs 8.6oz

DELL STUDIO 14Z

Specification:

* Display : 14-inch 16:9 LED display with HD resolution (720p/ 900p)
* Processor : Intel® Pentium® Dual Core, and Intel CoreTM 2 Duo standard voltage processors up to T9550 (2.66GHz, 1066Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
* Graphics : Integrated NVIDIA® GeForce® 9400M graphics5
* Up to 500GB1 HDD capacity
* Digital Video/Audio via HDMI and DisplayPort
* Standard 1.3MP webcam with dual digital array mics
* Starting weight of 4.3 pounds6
* 4W, SRS®, 2.0 Audio w/ discrete tweeters and dual headphone jacks
* Optional 8:1 Media Card Reader via 34mm Express Card slot
* Six-cell battery standard, optional slim design 8-cell battery for up to 6:46 hours of battery life with WLED display option7
* Standard Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth® and mobile broadband
* eSATA connectivity for high speed data transfer rate (up to 6X USB 2.0)
* Optional external optical drive options (DVD+/-RW, Blu-ray DiscTM read-only and read-write drives)
* Available in Six Colors : Black Chain Link, Midnight Blue, Spring Green, Plum Purple, Ruby Red and Promise Pink (U.S. only)

HP PAVILION DV7-1260US

Specification:

* Display : widescreen 17-inch LCD
* 2.2 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 dual-core processor
* 400 GB hard drive
* 4 GB RAM (8 GB max)
* Blu-ray Disc playback and DVD-RW/CD burning
* Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n); Gigabit Ethernet
* ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics (up to 1918 MB total)
* Connectivity: 4 USB (with 1 shared eSATA), 1 HDMI, 1 VGA, ExpressCard 54/34, 5-in-1 memory card reader
* Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 (64-bit version)
* Includes remote control

DELL XPS M1330

 Specification:

* Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5450 (1.66GHz)
* 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs)
* 120 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
* 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
* 8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
* Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
* Intel 4965 802.11a/b/g Dual-Band Mini Card
* Dell Travel Remote Control
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

Top 10 Inkjet Printers Photos and Details

Top 10 Inkjet Printers Photos and Details

1. HP OfficeJet Pro 8500

It has duplex printing capabilities. The HP Officejet Pro 8500 All-in-One series is designed for micro/small business users wanting an energy-efficient, network-ready all-in-one capable of delivering premium-quality color and black-and-white at an exceptionally low cost per page. This printer also is compatible with wireless connections.it is easily shared by using wired Ethernet or optional wireless 802.11g networking. It enables you to print water-resistant documents on plain paper using pigment inks designed for business.th most qualitative features of HP Officejet Pro 8500: it is, autoduplexer; automatic document feeder; painless 802.11b/g wireless setup; industry-leading print speeds; excellent quality prints ; easy to use 3.4-inch LCD touch screen.

2. Canon PIXMA MG8120 Wireless Inkjet Photo All In One Printer

Superior optical scanning resolution of 4800 dpi with included Film Adapter Unit to scan film and slides. Featuring a stylish design, intelligent on board touch screen interface, and intuitive software installation- this Pixma printer stands leagues ahead of the competition with its built in wireless networking capabilities. It provides you to superior optical scanning resolution of 4800 dpi with included Film Adapter Unit to scan film and slides. Maximum 9600 x 2400 color dpi for exceptional photo quality.

 3. LEXMARK PLATINUM PRO905

The 300-sheet maximum input capacity means less time refilling paper and a standard second tray allows 2 types of media to be loaded simultaneously. You can locate it anywhere because of Ethernet or wireless networking. Scanning is quiet, efficient and generally trouble-free. The Platinum Pro905 comes with a five-year parts-and-labor warranty. This printer from being a hands-down winner is its unexciting print and image quality output and paper-handling characteristics.

 4. Epson Artisan 725 All-in-One Printer

It prints 4″ x 6″ photos within 10 seconds. The ISO print speeds of 9.5 ISO ppm (black) and 9 ISO ppm (color) 1. It has a compact performer with a smart touch panel and 2.5″ LCD. Both printers feature ISO print speeds of 9.5 ISO ppm black and 9 ISO ppm color, built-in wireless and Ethernet networking, business documents ,printing in vibrant colors with Epson’s six-color Ultra Hi-Definition Claria ink and wireless printing of photos, built-in Auto Photo Correction, photo calendars, and more from an Apple iPhone.

5. Lexmark Pinnacle Pro901

Lexmark Pinnacle Pro901 enables you to print, scan and access memory card slots from any room in the house with Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking. It has earned the 2010 Hot Tech Demo Award. Up to 150 sheets of paper can be loaded into the single tray at the front of the machine, and each page makes a 180-degree turn during printing before ending up on an extended paper support, which increases the overall footprint of the device quite a bit.

 6. Epson Artisan 710 All-in-One Printer

This printer was so easy to install and share with the other 3 computers in our home. One of them is a Mac. Printing on CD/DVD’s is fast and easy also. It won’t print front to back. Great color on all photos and cards. It’s a great all in one printer. The speed of colour printing is 38cpm’ and for black 38cpm’. Main Paper Tray enables to adjust 120 sheets plain paper, 10 envelopes and Photo Tray enable you to adjust 20 sheets Premium Photo Paper Glossy.

7. Canon Pixma iP4300

There’s integrated duplex-printing for double-sided prints. A paper draw at the bottom of the printer, into which 6x4in sheets can be loaded, is a supplementary feature. It can print directly from CDs and DVDs. But it does not have any media or LCD to view images. It is a cost saver as you only need to purchase the individual ink cartridge that you need as opposed to an entire new set each time you run out of one particular colour.

8. HP Photosmart D7160

It does allow you to colour in white and two-tone grey colour. Well laid-out buttons for control of menus and print functions. It provides 61mm LCD display in its top. Photo prints are a bit slow; inability to edit photos on the printer unless in the beginner’s wizard mode. But it provides fast and excellent text prints graphics prints and allows you to print from an iPod; great bundled software; prints digital video stills.

9. HP Officejet 7000 Wide Format Printer  

It’s fast, accurate, and contrary for printing. It does slow down a little bit when printing at best quality setting but other than that it blows out the competition for the price. This HP Officejet consumes 40% less energy than laser printer. Print on various paper types and sizes from 3.5 x 5 inches up to 13 x 19 inches—plus get stunning borderless photos with HP Officejet inks.

10. Brother MFC 255CW

It can scan directly to E-mail, File, OCR and more, using a variety of formats including JPEG, TIFF and PDF. This is a color multifunction inkjet printer with wireless technology. Print borderless photos with droplet sizes as small as 1.5 picoliters and high resolutions up to 6000 x 1200dpi.You can print, copy, scan and fax documents through Brother MFC 255CW.But it has slow speed across the wireless network.

20 Interesting Google Earth Photos

TOP 10 LCD Monitors - Photos and Details

TOP 10 LCD Monitors - Photos and Details

1. LG W2486L

1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, the LG W2486L monitor achieves full High Definition image reproduction 16:9 aspect ratio. The image is created by active matrix Liquid Crystal Digital, or LCD technology. LCD is famed for producing highly accurate colors and reproducing the all important deep blacks, lifelike and precise shades of gray and bright whites. This W2486L adds LED backlighting technology to the mix to improve even further on the typical LCD quality.

Specifications

• 1920 x 1080 resolution.
• 2000000:1 contrast ratio.
• LED Display type.
• 2ms response time.
• DVI-D, VGA, HDMI connectivity.
• 16:9 aspect ratio.
• 160 Vertical Viewing Angle
• 170 Horizontal Viewing Angle
• 250 cd/m2 brightness

2. HP 2509m

The HP 2509m monitor is among the biggest and best monitors available in its price range. It’s the same technology that is at the heart of most of today’s HDTVs . It displays up to full 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution in the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio that is the standard for today’s motion pictures. The fast 3ms (microsecond) gray to gray response time is effective at preventing blur that can sometimes accompany fast action on HiDef screens.
Specifications

• 1920 x 1080 resolution.
• 60000:1 contrast ratio.
• LCD Display type.
• 5ms response time.
• DVI-D, VGA, HDMI, HDCP connectivity.
• 16:9 aspect ratio.
• 160 Vertical Viewing Angle
• 160 Horizontal Viewing Angle
• 300 cd/m2 brightness

3. Samsung P2370

Its extra slim profile which measures just over an inch thick. At the bottom of the arm are blue crystals that lend a subtle blue hue to the support, rather like cobalt in glass tints the stem of fine crystal. The shiny black bezel which surrounds the screen is complimented by a final clear layer that’s thick enough that its color seems to adjust in accordance with surrounding light. 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio that is required to fully appreciate widescreen movies. The 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio provides sharp images whether playing movies or games. The very fast 2ms (microsecond) gray to gray response time makes for ultra clear fast action and reduces the likelihood of blur that can be a symptom of fast motion on HiDef screens. The P2370’s screen is wide enough that two web pages can be viewed side-by-side. It’s great for moving from application to application and for keeping gadgets and sidebars readily accessible.

Specifications

• 1920 x 1080 resolution.
• 50000:1 contrast ratio.
• LCD Display type.
• 2ms response time.
• DVI, VGA connectivity.
• 16:9 aspect ratio.
• 160 Vertical Viewing Angle
• 170 Horizontal Viewing Angle
• 250 cd/m2 brightness

 4. Asus VH222H-P

• 1920×1080 resolutions.
• 20000:1 contrast ratio.
• 1080p video format.
• 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
• 5ms response time.
• VGA, DVI, HDMI Connectivity
The Splendid™ offers 5 video modes designed for scenery, theater, gaming, night view, and standard images.

5. LG W2286L

• 1680×1050 resolutions.
• 1000:1 contrast ratio.
• 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
• 5ms response time.
• 16:10 aspect ratio.
• VGA, DVI, HDMI Connectivity

6. Nec MultiSync EA241WM

• 1920×1200 resolutions.
• 1000:1 contrast ratio.
• 1080p Video format.
• 5ms response time.
• 16:10 aspect ratio.
• VGA, DVI Connectivity.

7. Hp w2338h

• 23 inch widescreen monitor.
• 1920 x 1080p maximum resolution.
• Reduce blur while enjoying sports, action movies or online games.
• 5 ms On/Off response time.
• 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

8. View Sonic VX2450wm

• 1,920×1,080 pixels resolution

• 5ms pixel-response rate
• 1,000:1 contrast ratio
• Vertical viewing Angel 160
• Horizontal viewing Angel 170
• 300 Nit brightness
• VGA, DVI connectivity

9. HP Q2159

• 1920×1080 pixel resolution.
• 1000:1 contrast ratio.
• 5ms response time deliver brilliant colors and fast transitions.
• It has integrated 1W speakers which create a complete entertainment experience.
• 16:9 aspect ratio.

10. NEC MultiSync EA221WM-BK

• 1680 x 1050 / 60 Hz max resolution.
• 1000:1 contrast ratio.
• 720p video format.
• 5ms response time.
• DVI-D, VGA connectivity.
• 16:10 aspect ratio.
• Eco-Mode and Accu Color Control Systems.

Best 10 USB Flash Drives - Photos And Specifications

Best 10 USB Flash Drives - Photos And Specifications

1. SanDisk Cruzer Micro 

This is currently the world’s best selling flash disk.SanDisk Cruzer Micro 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ6-016GA11 is the latest release by the SanDisk Company. The memory size of this flash drive is 16GB and the writing speed of the drive is 2.0 USB. The flash dive is incredible small in size and can be fitted into your key chains, purses, wallet chains etc. The SanDisk Cruzer Flash Drive is a portable, light weighted flash drive which can be taken to any place. No caps or hoops to get lost. The flash drive comes with the retractable USB connector which prevents any breakage, damages and therefor gives the drives a longer life. You can even share your favorite, images, videos and other files from other external devices like cameras, mobiles, camcorders, laptops etc.

2. Corsair Flash Voyager 64 GB

The Corsair Flash Voyager GT 64 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive CMFUSB-64GBGT is a portable USB hard drive which operates very quickly with a high capacity and durability.
The Corsair is shock and water resistant. The flash drive come with the warranty of 10 years and is convenient to plug in without any need of cables, wires or power adapters.
Enclosed in Corsair Proprietary All-Rubber Housing ensures Water Resistance and Ultra Durability. it store up to 16,000 MP3 Files! Or How about 18,000 6 Megapixel Photos! Or Store 24 hours of video footage. 10 Year Warranty means you can write information for 24/7 for 10 years non-stop! . Ideal for transporting MP3′s, Digital Photos, Power Point Presentations, Video Footage of the kids, and so much more.

3.Kingston DataTraveler 128 GB

Kingston DataTraveler 200 – 128 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive DT200/128GB (Black) is a new release from Kingston DataTraveler. There are some great features that come with this flash drive like security software, which work for all windows operating systems. The capacity of the Kingston flash rive is 128GB with a data transfer speed of USB 2.0. The password traveler software allows you to protect your password and provides secure way of transfering large files.
Some enhanced features like ready boost technology for vista operating systems will help you to store your large files better.The device also comes with the warranty of 5 years with 24/ 7 tech support along with free labor support.

4.Corsair Flash Voyager GTR

The Corsair Flash Voyager GTR, which is available in capacities up to 128 GB, gets good reviews for its value and performance. It’s not quite as durable as the aluminum Corsair Flash Survivor GTR — in one test, it doesn’t survive a trip to the washing machine. However, the Flash Voyager is lighter and slimmer and, like the Survivor GTR, comes with a 10-year warranty. Reviewers praise the faster file-transfer speed, a clear improvement over the Voyager GT. The Corsair Flash Voyager GTR doesn’t come with data-encryption software installed (its predecessors were bundled with TrueCrypt), but it can be downloaded for free online.

5. SanDisk Cruzer Titanium

The SanDisk Cruzer has a Liquidmetal titanium coated casing. With the slide of a button, the USB connector slides into the protective housing, this means no cap to lose or break.Like the Gold Award product, this thumb drive comes with the U3 software that allows you to take your profiles, favorites and even your wallpaper to any computer for a familiar computing experience. The Cruzer Titanium also comes with Skype software.Sandisk provides a lot of online self-help information and you can contact customer service by phone or email. We talked to customer service and they were cordial and provided helpful information.

6. Kingston DataTraveler 32 GB

Kingston Data Traveller I – 32 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive DTI/32GB is an excellent, compact and portable flash drive which conveniently fits into your pocket and is easily transportable.
You need to store the cap securely after use to prevent loss or damage of the cap and the drive. The operating temperature of this flash dive is around 32 degree F to 140 degree F and the storage temperature is around 4 degree to 185 degree F.

7. Corsair Flash Survivor GTR

If you give your electronics a beating, reviewers say the Corsair Flash Survivor GTR can take it — and critics have a good time testing durability, dunking the drive into the pool, bludgeoning it with a hammer and running it over with a car. With an exterior made of aircraft-grade aluminum that’s drop-proof and water resistant, the Survivor GTR, which is also armed with a 10-year warranty, may be overkill for some. The durable drive is also bulkier than most.

 8.Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go U3 Smart Drive

 This simply designed USB comes with a lanyard adding to its portability. A couple features we looked for that the Store ‘n’ Go doesn’t have are water resistance and a solution to loosing the cap—some drives offer a swivel cap, others have retractable USB connectors.The Store ‘n’ Go comes preinstalled with U3 Smart Software and is compatible with all U3 applications. Verbatim provides tech support through phone and email. We called with some general questions and their representative was friendly and full of information.

9.IronKey Personal S200

The IronKey Personal S200 represents the most secure portable storage device currently available. Originally created for military use, the S200 is the only USB drive to reach Level 3 FIPS 140-2. The S200′s secure web browsing feature allows the user to peruse the Internet without leaving a trace on the host computer but can slow Internet access a bit .Other improvements include an option to unlock files in read-only mode as well as a more user-friendly password manager. The drive itself is as tough as ever and attempts to breach its brushed metal exterior results in destruction of your data, as will 10 incorrect password attempts.. The downside is that the IronKey Personal S200 is prohibitively expensive. If you want a durable drive but don’t need military-grade data security.

10. Lexar Lightning Jump Drive 100X

The Lexar Lightening with its polished stainless steel case and ice blue LED light has simplistic sophistication.This USB flash drive is more expensive than others in this review and doesn’t have additional features—it has a cap and doesn’t include a lanyard. However, when you order the drive through Lexar, they include free laser-engraving.The Lightening is the traditional rectangular shape and has a protective cap. Alongside the sleek look and compact size you will find that this USB Flash drive is very durable and offers the ability to get files from the flash drive to your computer in no time. The Lexar Lightening is a stylish, durable drive with convenient preinstalled applications to keep you going no matter where you find yourself.

Lightning Captured By X-Ray Camera - Amazing View

Lightning Captured By X-Ray Camera - Amazing View

Scientists triggered lightning using rockets

The first x-ray images of a lightning strike have been captured by a, well, lightning-fast camera, scientists say. The pictures suggest a lightning bolt carries all its x-ray radiation in its tip.

During recent thunderstorms in Camp Blanding, Florida, the camera's electronic shutter "froze" a lightning bolt—artificially triggered by rockets and wires—as it sped toward the ground at one-sixth the speed of light. "Something moving this fast would go from the Earth to the moon in less than ten seconds," said Joseph Dwyer, a lightning researcher at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. Scientists have known for several years that lightning emits radiation, said Dwyer, who revealed the photos at an annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco earlier this month. But until now scientists didn't have the technology to take x-ray images quickly enough to see where the radiation comes from, he said.

Lightning Imaged by 1,500-Pound Camera

Making a camera capable of taking such quick images was an achievement in and of itself, Dwyer emphasized. "You can't just go buy a camera and point it at lightning," he said. "We had to make it." The resulting 1,500-pound (680-kilogram) camera—created by Dwyer's graduate student Meagan Schaal—consists of an x-ray detector housed in a box about the size and shape of a refrigerator. The box is lined with lead to shield the x-ray detector from stray radiation. X-rays enter the box through a small hole that in turn focuses them, like an old-fashioned pinhole camera.

Speedy Trade-Off: Less Data Space

Because lightning moves blindingly fast, the camera was required to take ten million images per second. One challenge in taking such fast pictures is storing the data. To do so, the x-ray detector had to take pictures at a relatively low resolution of 30 pixels, which produced images on a crude, hexagonal grid—as shown in the chart below.

A chart shows x-ray observations of a lightning discharge.

Even so, the resolution was sharp enough to reveal a bright ball of x-rays at the head of the bolt, with almost no lingering radiation along the bolt's trail. "Almost all the x-rays are from the tip," Dwyer said. "We see the x-ray source descending with the lightning at up to one-sixth the speed of light."


Triggered Lightning Effective

The lightning bolts were triggered by launching small rockets into the thunderstorms. The rockets trailed wires behind them to direct the lightning through the camera's field of view. Artificially triggering the lightning strike likely didn't alter the natural workings of the thunderstorm, Dwyer noted. And, he said, "the advantage of triggered lightning is that we can repeat it."