Comparison of the charge moment change calculated from electrostatic analysis and from ELF radio observations

Abstract

2015), Comparison of the charge moment change calculated from electrostatic analysis and from ELF radio observations, Abstract We compare the results of two methods of calculation of the charge moment change (CMC, also called the dipole moment change) of the cloud-to-ground lightning discharges. The first method uses multistation ground-based measurements of the E field change for the purpose of the lightning flash location and charge analysis. Our six stations, called the Local Lightning Detection Network (LLDN), were set up in the Warsaw region. The second method is based on measurements of the horizontal magnetic field component of electromagnetic waves generated by atmospheric discharges in the ELF (extremely low frequency) range. Our ELF station is equipped with two magnetic antennas, east-west and north-south and is located in a sparsely populated area of the Bieszczady Mountains in Poland (49.19 • N, 22.55 • E). We present and discuss the results obtained by both methods, focusing on the negative return stroke (RS) and the return stroke with continuing current (RS and CC) lightning discharges. Results show a good correlation between the CMC obtained by the two methods. For the negative RS and CC and RS the correlation coefficient is equal to +0.50 and +0.80, respectively.

An unusual sequence of sprites followed by a secondary TLE: An analysis of ELF radio measurements and optical observations

“…However, we believe that the propagation formula used in this paper is well suited for calculating the magnetic field component of the radio waves at relatively short distances, such as in the case analyzed in this paper. The charge moment change (CMC) for cloud‐to‐ground return strokes obtained from our ELF records using this propagation formula have been recently compared with the CMCs derived from electrostatic analysis of electric field changes recorded by a network of VLF stations close to lightning locations, and a good correlation was obtained—the Pearson's cross‐correlation coefficient for the negative return strokes was equal to 0.80 [ Nieckarz et al ., ].…”

ELF Electromagnetic Waves from Lightning: The Schumann Resonances

“…Recent observations [27,[28][29][30]91,137] reveal that occurrences of sprites and transient SR are highly correlated (Figure 10). SR records can be used to estimate the magnitude of the charge removed from cloud-to-ground lightning [139][140][141], which appears to be one of the crucial parameters in determining which lightning discharge can produce sprites [142]. A method of charge moment estimation of sprite-inducing CG discharges from SR data [30] showed that the charge moments of sprite inducing CG discharges range from 200 to 2000 Ckm.…”

Remote Measurement of the Lightning Impulse Charge Moment Change Using the Fast Electric Field Antenna

“…The point charge model is assumed in this technique and simultaneous measurements of the electric field change at multiple stations are used to calculate the point charge and its coordinates [17]. Nieckarz et al [18] compared the lightning charge moment change calculated from the electrostatic method and from the ELF radio observations. Results show a good correlation between the CMC obtained by the two methods.…”