Interferometric imaging of intensely radiating negative leaders

The common phenomenon of lightning still harbors many secrets and only recently a new propagation mode was observed for negative leaders. While propagating in this ``intensely radiating leader'' (IRNL) leader emits 100 times more very-high frequency (VHF) broadband radiation than normal leader. We have reported that occurs soon after initiation all flashes we mapped as well sometimes long thereafter. Because the profuse emission VHF structure is very difficult to image. In work report on measurements made with LOFAR radio telescope, an instrument primarily built radio-astronomy observations. For reason, part present work, refined our time resolved interferometric 3-dimensional (TRI-D) imaging take into account antenna function. images from TRI-D imager show during IRNL there ionization front diameter excess 500 m where strong corona bursts occur. This different what seen happen at tip, area typically 10 diameter. massive wave supports idea indicative dense charge pocket.