The Electric Universe theory argues that electricity plays a significant and more important role in the Universe, than is generally accepted (see also “Electricity throughout the Universe“). The theory does not dismiss gravity.

As a theory, it offers explanations of various natural and astrophysical phenomena, some of which it claims are better understood without the need for various ad hoc explanations. As with any theory, the Electric Universe makes predictions that have been tested, and is published in both peer-reviewed papers, and popular books.

The Electric Universe theory is interdisciplinary, integrating and supporting subject as diverse as the science (astronomy, geology, physics), with the soft sciences such as ancient history and comparative mythology.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Electric Universe has also become the target of pseudo-skeptics, whose criticisms have consisted of ad hominems, misunderstanding, misrepresentation, and labeling as pseudoscience.

Key points

Electricity plays a more significant role in the Universe than is generally accepted

Gravity plays a significant and important role, in the appropriate regime.

The Sun and stars are powered electrically by external currents (see Electric Sun theory)

Planetary surface features such as some craters, dendritic structures and rilles are caused by super-lightning (see electrical scarring)

Certain cosmic phenomena are electrical in nature, including: Comet tails (See comets) The plumes of Enceladus Martian dust devils Galaxy formation and dynamics (circumventing the need for black holes and dark matter)



Alternative Electric Universe theories

Others have described, or had described, their theories as the “Electric Universe”, and while they may share some features in common, may be wholly different too.

The 1883 pamphlet The Electric Universe: Flashing thoughts for consideration and facts from many sources, by ‘Torpedo’

In 1900, Ignatio Tyrrell publishes the book: The Great Electric Universe: Face to Face with God and Facts : Sun, Moon & Planets Populated : Man the Epitome of the Universe, Whither Has He Come, Whither is He Going . Subject matter unknown

. Subject matter unknown In 1903, George Woodward Warder’s book, The universe a vast electric organism , included Chapter XV “The Electric Universe is Self-Sustaining and Eternal”.

, included Chapter XV “The Electric Universe is Self-Sustaining and Eternal”. In 1959, Herman Bondi and R.A. Lyttleton proposed of “The possibility of a general excess of charge in the universe” which Bondi referred to as the Electric Universe.

In the 1960s, C.E.R. Bruce :

“.. proposed a theory of the evolution of the universe, which will be of interest to electrical engineers. He endeavours to show that electrical discharges have gradually condensed matter from the primordial gas and dust of a general universal atmosphere, first into galaxies, then from the condensed matter of the galaxies into stars. Discharges in the extended atmospheres of stars further condensed the matter, ultimately to allow the formation of planets and satellites”

: In 1966, James Paton mentioned “the thinking reader who knows that gravitation and electrostatics both involve inverse-square laws of force, but is unaware of ionization, may wonder how stars and galaxies exist in the ‘electric universe’.

In 1972, Ralph Juergens proposed an Electric Sun hypothesis which Earl R. Milton says was inspired by several others.

In 1978, P. C. W. Davies in an article in Nature , described a paper on “The electrically polarized universe” by John Bally and E. R. Harrison in Astrophysics Journal . Davies notes: “”In spite of its Velikovskian flavour, the Bally-Harrison electric universe unfortunately does not lead to any obviously important astrophysical consequences”.

, described a paper on “The electrically polarized universe” by John Bally and E. R. Harrison in . Davies notes: “”In spite of its Velikovskian flavour, the Bally-Harrison electric universe unfortunately does not lead to any obviously important astrophysical consequences”. In 1998, Dr. László Körtvélyessy’s book, The Electric Universe also highlighted the importance of electricity in astronomy, but he does not subscribe to an electric-powered Sun, nor electrical scarring.

In Popular Culture

In 1928, the Imperial Tobacco Company published a series of 50 cigarette cards, “The Romance of the Heavens”. Card No. 43 featured “The Sun. Electrical Discharges from the Sun”. The text reads:

“The Sun’s surface usually shows one or more spots or groups of spots, the largest of which are easily seen by the naked eye if the brilliance of the Sun is veiled by smoked glass. These spots are constantly changing in shape more or less rapidly. Over the whole surface of the Sun electrical and magnetic disturbances are usually taking place, especially round the large sun-spots, which have been compared to enormous whirlpools, or volcanoes from which streams of electrically-charged particles are projected into space. When these strike our Earth, violent magnetic storms sometimes occurs.”

Articles and papers

Peer reviewed

Thornhill, W., “The Z-Pinch Morphology of Supernova 1987A and Electric Stars “, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science , Aug. 2007, Volume: 35, Issue: 4, Part 1, Page(s): 832-844

“, , Aug. 2007, Volume: 35, Issue: 4, Part 1, Page(s): 832-844 Ransom, C.J.; Thornhill, W., “Plasma-Generated Craters and Spherules “, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Volume 35, Issue 4, Aug. 2007 Page(s):828 – 831

Academic conference reports

Scholarly

C.E.R. Bruce, “An All-Electric Universe”. Elect. Rev., 162, pp. 1070-1075, 23 Dec. 1960.

C.E.R. Bruce, “An All-Electric Universe”. Elect.Rev., 168, p. 20, 6 Jan. 1961.

C.E.R. Bruce, “An All-Electric Universe”, Elect.Rev., 169, p. 104, 20 Jan. 1961.

C.E.R. Bruce, “An All-Electric Universe”. Elect.Rev., 169, p. 332, 24 Feb. 1961