Saint Elmo's fire

An electrical meteor consisting of a luminous discharge of corona effect and low intensity, which emanates from pointed objects when the air is highly ionized. Its most common appearance is that of a small bluish flame, occasionally taking on a reddish or violet tint. It is usually accompanied by a crackling sound. It forms on the cockpit glass, the leading edges of the wings, and the propellers of an aircraft when it flies through a storm. On the Earth's surface, it appears at the tips of lightning rods, antennas, chimneys, high-voltage pylons, and anemometer towers. Saint Elmo's fire also arises atop the masts of sailing ships, which has given rise to many sailors' legends. Historically considered a bad omen by seafarers, there is also the opposite belief, as its appearance began to be interpreted as a sign from the patron saint who gives the phenomenon its name, indicating that the worst of the storm was behind. The aforementioned saint was Erasmus of Formia (†303), who after his death became Saint Elmo - our "san Telmo." He is the patron saint of sailors and violinists.