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<metadesc>About the hypothesis</metadesc>
[[File:comet-hale-bopp.jpg|196|thumb|Comet Hale-Bopp featuring its ion tale, that results from the interaction of the comet with the electrified interplanetary plasma]]
The '''Electric Universe theory''' argues that electricity plays a more important role in the Universe, than is generally accepted (see also "[[Electricity throughout the Universe]]").

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==
[[File:Enceladus plumes.jpg|196|thumb|The plumes of Enceladus are an electrical phenomenon [http://www.universetoday.com/2009/04/21/electrically-charged-particles-found-in-enceladus-plumes/] ]]
*Electricity plays a more significant role in the Universe than is generally accepted
*The Sun and stars are electrically powered by drift 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 ne wholly different too.
*In 1903, George Woodward Warder's book, ''The universe a vast electric organism'', included Chapter XV "The Electric Universe is Self-Sustaining and Eternal".<ref>George Woodward Warder, ''The universe a vast electric organism'' (1903) Chapter XV "[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P4WQ2h8ZvNQC&lpg=PP1&ots=KRpWObKxQs&dq=The%20universe%20a%20vast%20electric%20organism%20%20By%20George%20Woodward%20Warder&pg=PA246#v=snippet&q=%22electric%20universe%22&f=false The Electric Universe is Self-Sustaining and Eternal]"</ref>
*In 1959, Herman Bondi and R.A. Lyttleton proposed of "The possibility of a general excess of charge in the universe"<ref>R. A. Lyttleton, H. Bondi, "[http://rspa.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/252/1270/313.short On the Physical Consequences of a General Excess of Charge]" in ''Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences'', Vol. 252, No. 1270 (Sep. 29, 1959), pp. 313-333</ref> which Bondi referred to as the Electric Universe.<ref>Bondi, H., "The Electric Universe" in ''Space Astrophysics'', Edited by William Liller. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1961., p.179</ref>
*In 1978, P. C. W. Davies in an article in ''Nature'',<ref>P. C. W. Davies, "[http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/273268b0 Electric Universe]", ''Nature'' 273, 268 - 269 (1978)</ref> described a paper on "The electrically polarized universe" by John Bally and E. R. Harrison in ''Astrophysics Journal''.<ref>Bally, J.; Harrison, E. R., "[http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1978ApJ...220..743B The electrically polarized universe]", ''Astrophysical Journal'', Part 1, vol. 220, Mar. 15, 1978, p. 743, 744.</ref> 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, ''[http://www.the-electric-universe.info/the_book.html The Electric Universe]'' <ref>Dr. László Körtvélyessy, ''[http://www.the-electric-universe.info/the_book.html The Electric Universe]'', 1998, ISBN 963 8243 19 8</ref> also highlighted the importance of electricity in astronomy, but he does not subscribe to an [[Electric Sun theory|electric-powered Sun]], nor [[electrical scarring]].

==References==
<references />


==Articles and papers==
===Peer reviewed===

*Thornhill, W., "[http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=4287093 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

*Ransom, C.J.; Thornhill, W., "[http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?tp=&arnumber=4287076&isnumber=4287017 Plasma-Generated Craters and Spherules]", ''IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science'', Volume 35, Issue 4, Aug. 2007 Page(s):828 - 831

===Academic conference reports===

*C. J. Ransom, M. Acheson, "[http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=4346233 The Plasma plus Gravity Universe May Not Need Dark Matter]", 2007 IEEE Pulsed Power and Plasma Science Conference, 34th Annual ICOPS, June 17th, 2007, Albuquerque, NM, 5P42 

*Thornhill, W.W., "[http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=4346306 The Electrical Nature of Comets]", IEEE 34th International Conference on Plasma Science, 2007. ICOPS 2007., Publication Date: 17-22 June 2007, On page(s): 1000-1000

*Ransom, C. J., & Wallace Thornhill, "[http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?url=/iel5/11181/36024/01707330.pdf?temp=x Laboratory Reproduction of Possible Solar System Plasma Effects]," Conference Record, 33rd IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science, p 370, 2006.

*Ransom, C. J. & Wal Thornhill, "[http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005APS..APRH11004R Plasma Generated Spherules]", ''Bulletin of the American Physical Society'', Vol. 50, #2, April 2005, p. 78.

===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 

*Thornhill, W., "The Electric Universe", SIS ''C&C Review'' v2000 No.1
*Thornhill, W., "The Electric Universe", SIS ''C&C Review'' v2002 No.2
*Thornhill, W., "Stars in an Electric Universe", ''Aeon'' vol.5 No.5 (Jan 2000)