The monograph is devoted to ball lightning (BL) observed in natural conditions in the air and artificial BL, long-lived luminous formations (LLF), usually obtained in laboratories experimentally. Joint consideration of artificial and natural BL emphasizes the need for a comprehensive analysis of such complex objects. It is the description of the study of the properties of artificial BL and LLF in the end of 20th and 21st centuries that allows the reader to better understand what and how can be experimentally simulated.

Vladimir Bychkov, 1973, graduated from theoretical physics chair, People's Friendship University in Moscow. From 1976 to 1979, he was postgraduate student of Physics Chair, Moscow Power Institute, Moscow. In 1980, he obtained Ph.D. degree from I.V. Kurchatov Institute of Nuclear Energy, Moscow. From 1980 to 1987, he was the senior researcher at Moscow Radiotechnical Institute RAS, and from 1987 to 1990, he was the senior researcher at Moscow Institute for Physics and Technology. From 1990 to 2004, he was the lead researcher at Joint Institute for High Temperature RAS; in 2000, he obtained Dr. Sci. degree at Moscow Regional STate University, Moscow. In 2004, he is now the lead researcher physical electronics chair, physical faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. In 2011, he was full member of Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. In 2017, he was awarded V.I. Vernadsky Honorary Silver Medal for high scientific achievements.