[praptak]

If you really mean gigawatts (unit of power), then you have to multiply it by the time period when this peak power is reached to get the energy output. Lightning bolts have very short durations, tens of microseconds.

Let's be generous and give it 1 millisecond. 1 millisecond times 1 gigawatt is 1 million joules, which is the estimate that the article gives.

[peterpost2]

Woosh, he is making a back to the future reference

[ww_wpg]

Well, today I learned something about physics and pop culture.

[martin_a]

> Lightning bolts have very short durations

That is why you have to hit the cable at a very specific time. It's not that hard.

[trelane]

martin_a, or marty_m? Hmmmm....