Mesospheric Electric Field Transients due to Tropospheric Lightning Discharges
نویسندگان
چکیده
A physical picture and quantitative two-dimensional electromagnetic modeling of mesospheric electric field transients produced by cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning discharges with short duration currents (<0.5 ms) are presented. The range of applicability of existing quasi-electrostatic models of sprites and the physical conditions under which relatively weak CG lightning discharges (thundercloud charge moment changes less than 50C×10 km) may initiate sprites are discussed in the context of recent experimental findings.
منابع مشابه
Testing sprite initiation theory using lightning measurements and modeled electromagnetic fields
[1] Previous research has shown that the statistical measurements of charge moment changes in sprite-producing lightning are in general agreement with the predictions based on the conventional breakdown theory for sprite initiation in the mesosphere. Measurements have progressed to the point where a detailed, event-level quantitative comparison between the measurements and predictions could mor...
متن کاملDetectability of sprites above lightning storms on the giant planets
Large sprite discharges at mesospheric altitudes on Earth have been found to be physically similar to streamer discharges in air at sea level density. Based on this understanding, we investigate possible sprite discharges on the Gas Giant planets through laboratory experiments on streamers in H2-He gas mixture. Streamer diameters, radiance, and emission spectra are investigated and compared to ...
متن کاملMesospheric optical signatures of possible lightning on Venus
A self-consistent two-dimensional model is proposed to account for the transient mesospheric nighttime optical emissions associated to possible intracloud (IC) lightning occurring in the Venusian troposphere. The model calculates the mesospheric (between 75 km and 120 km in altitude) quasi-elestrostatic electric field and electron density produced in response to IC lightning activity located be...
متن کاملUnusually intense continuing current in lightning produces delayed mesospheric breakdown
Ultra low frequency magnetic field measurements made 500–2000 km from positive lightning discharges show a signature that is consistent with unusually high amplitude cloud-to-ground continuing lightning current. The magnitude of this nearly constant current moment is as large as 60 kA km and can last at half this amplitude for longer than 150 ms, thereby moving 640 C or more (assuming a 7 km ve...
متن کاملLightning sferics and stroke-delayed pulses measured in the stratosphere: Implications for mesospheric currents
[1] During the Brazil Sprite Balloon Campaign 2002–03, the vector ELF to VLF (25 Hz–8 kHz) electric and magnetic fields driven by cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning strokes at horizontal distances of 75–600 km were measured at altitudes of 30–35 km. Electric field changes were measured for each of the 2467 CG strokes detected by the Brazilian Integrated Lightning Network. ELF pulses that occur 4–12...
متن کامل