corona discharge
From Glossary of Meteorology
(Also called brush discharge, corposant.) A luminous, and often audible, electric discharge that is intermediate in nature between a spark discharge (with, usually, its single discharge channel) and a point discharge (with its diffuse, quiescent, and nonluminous character).
It occurs from objects, especially pointed ones, when the electric field strength near their surfaces attains a value near 1 × 105 V m-1. Aircraft flying through active electrical storms often develop corona discharge streamers from antennas and propellers, and even from the entire fuselage and wing structure. So-called precipitation static results. It is seen also during stormy weather, emanating from the yards and masts of ships at sea.
See St. Elmo's fire.
