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Matter exists in several states: (1) solid, (2) liquid, (3) gaseous, (4) plasma, and (5) electric filamentary. Plasma, matter at very high temperatures, is comprised of approximately equal numbers of positively and negatively charged particles, so it does not produce a strong circumferential magnetic field or form filaments. The fifth state of matter consists of very high energy, nonthermal particles with an electric charge of mainly one sign: positive or negative. These particles move as an electric current, and the resultant magnetic field compresses the matter in the discharge channel, forming one or more filaments, like lightning in the earth's atmosphere. ? Eric Crew

An atmospheric electrical discharge, such as a reasonably straight stroke of lightning, produces a longitudinal jet, and the magnetic field of the current thus produced causes this to be filamentary. Most of the characteristics of violent and sudden events in astronomy can be explained simply in terms of well-established laws of physics if electrical discharges, similar to lightning, occur in the atmosphere of stars and galaxies. Careful examination of the evidence for electrical discharges in astronomy shows that these almost certainly do occur, and therefore charging does take place. This was first suggested by C. E. R. Bruce in 1941.

Society for Interdisciplinary Studies

Nature (Dec 1974).