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If I understand this correctly, the "heart" of
this effect is a non-electrostatic process occuring in a non-uniform
electric field.
The non-uniform electric field exerts not only a torque,
but also a net force on nearby molecules, drawing them closer to the
point, into an increasingly strong electric field.
At some point in the
journey of the molecule or atom from the atmosphere toward the tip, the
field becomes strong enough to break down the molecule or atom, with one
part continuing on toward the tip and the other being ejected in the
opposite direction.
Of course, in addition to the process just described, there
should be secondary processes due to the collision of the ejected charged
particles with air molecules, charging the atmosphere near the point.
For a fixed, high voltage supply, the only difference
one should expect for different atmospheres is the precise location of the
point where the molecule or atom breaks down. This is not easy to measure
or see.