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.

Chapter 1. Ball lightning (BL) and its researchers.- Chapter 2. Observational data on events associated with BL.- Chapter 3. Analysis of observations of BL.- Chapter 4. Experimental modeling of BL and long-lived luminous formations.- Chapter 5. About theoretical models of BL.