Today on the Science Café Adam Walton explores the phenomenon of lightning. He travels to Cardiff to meet scientists studying what happens when lightning strikes an aircraft.

Broadcast Tuesday 15th May at 7pm

Listen to the latest programme online

Adam visits the Morgan-Botti Lightning Laboratory at Cardiff University, which carries out key research into lightning strikes on aircraft, especially jets made of composite materials, such as the new Airbus A350. the laboratory was funded jointly through the Welsh Government and EADS.

Adam also discovers how the laboratory is a useful resource for the engineering detpartment at the University, with its ability to re-create a lighning strike current of tens of thousands of Amps.

We also hear from an airline pilot who has experience of flying near lightning, who explains the effects the phenomenon creates inside an aircraft.

Cardiff Lightning Lab video (You Tube)