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Researchers in the Department of Meterology believe they have discovered new evidence to suggest lightning is triggered not only by cosmic rays from space, as has previously been thought, but also by energetic particles from the Sun.

The Berkshire scientists found a link between increased thunderstorm activity and streams of high-energy particles accelerated by the solar wind, suggesting that particles from space help trigger lightning bolts.

After the arrival of a solar wind at the Earth, the researchers showed there was an average of 422 lightning strikes across the UK in the following 40 days, compared to an average of 321 lightning strikes in the 40 days prior the arrival of the solar wind.

The rate of lightning strikes peaked between 12 and 18 days after the arrival of the solar wind.

Take a tin of spaghetti, a box of bees and a smoothie-maker and what have you got? In one part of the south east, a recipe for a fascinating science lesson! A science fair, at the old Pfizer site in Sandwich, was put on to attract youngsters to the worlds of technology and maths.

David Johns donned his lab coat and went along to take a look. He spoke to scientist Robert Wybrow, engineer Victoria Roots, Kent County Councillor Mark Dance (Con), and Discovery Park MD Paul Barber.

It's set to revolutionise the way we view the Earth from space. Two special cameras, designed and built by scientists in South Oxfordshire, have blasted off to the International Space Station, ready to reveal video and images of our planet, never seen before.

Do you think that wringing out a wet cloth in space is easy? Think again as they explain in this demonstration from the International Space Station. You can send you questions to them via NASA, it is next over our region tomorrow 9.16pm - approaching from the West.

A science project organised by a school in Kent has reached new heights. Sevenoaks School holds a "science week" each year and this time they sent cameras up to the edge of space on a weather ballon - and despite a hiccup over Belgium, have brought back some amazing images.

David Johns explains, talking to physics teacher Elizabeth Harper-Clark, and Head of Science Graeme Lawrie.