Saint Elmo's fire is a luminous electrical discharge that occurs during thunderstorms, often appearing as a blue or purple glow around the tips of sharp objects, such as lightning rods or ship masts. There are several synonyms for this phenomenon, including corposant, corona discharge, St. Elmo's light, and sea fire. While the name "Saint Elmo" refers to a Christian saint who is said to protect sailors, the occurrence of this electrical discharge has fascinated people for centuries. Synonyms for Saint Elmo's fire are commonly used in literature and pop culture, and the phenomenon itself continues to be studied by scientists and enthusiasts alike.
