Criteria for sprites and elves based on Schumann resonance observations

Huang, E.-C.; Williams, Earle; Boldi, R.; Heckman, S.; Lyons, Walter A.; Taylor, Michael J.; Nelson, Thomas E.; Wong, Chi Man

doi:10.1029/1999jd900139

Cited by 225 publications

(302 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…where Z q is the altitude (above ground level, AGL) from which the charge Q is lowered to ground, both as functions of time t. Various studies have suggested that for such breakdown to occur, total DM q values would need to be at least on the order of hundreds of C km Pasko et al, 1997;Huang et al, 1999;Williams, 2001;Cummer and Lyons, 2005]. These values are extremely large compared to typical CG strokes [Cummer and Lyons, 2004].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transient luminous events above two mesoscale convective systems: Storm structure and evolution

et al. 2010

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[1] Two warm-season mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) were analyzed with respect to their production of transient luminous events (TLEs), mainly sprites. The 20 June 2007 symmetric MCS produced 282 observed TLEs over a 4 h period, during which the storm's intense convection weakened and its stratiform region strengthened. TLE production corresponded well to convective intensity. The convective elements of the MCS contained normal-polarity tripole charge structures with upper-level positive charge (<−40°C), midlevel negative charge (−20°C), and low-level positive charge near the melting level. In contrast to previous sprite studies, the stratiform charge layer involved in TLE production by parent positive cloud-to-ground (+CG) lightning resided at upper levels. This layer was physically connected to upper-level convective positive charge via a downward sloping pathway. The average altitude discharged by TLE-parent flashes during TLE activity was 8.2 km above mean sea level (MSL; −25°C). The 9 May 2007 asymmetric MCS produced 25 observed TLEs over a 2 h period, during which the storm's convection rapidly weakened before recovering later. Unlike 20 June, TLE production was approximately anticorrelated with convective intensity. The 9 May storm, which also had a normal tripole in its convection, best fit the conventional model of low-altitude positive charge playing the dominant role in sprite production; however, the average altitude discharged during the TLE phase of flashes still was higher than the melting level: 6.1 km MSL (−15°C). Based on these results, it is inferred that sprite production and sprite-parent positive charge altitude depend on MCS morphology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transient luminous events above two mesoscale convective systems: Storm structure and evolution

et al. 2010

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“…The vertical component of electric field (Ez) and the horizontal component of magnetic field (Bx, By) have been observed continuously since 1997 [Hobara et al, 2001]. The vertical charge moment change (Qds) was estimated by the impulsive method from the observed ELF waveform [Huang et al, 1999].…”

Section: Observation Instrumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do winter thundercloud systems generate sprite‐inducing lightning in the Hokuriku area of Japan?

Suzuki

Hayakawa

Matsudo

et al. 2006

Geophysical Research Letters

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[1] Lightning and thundercloud systems leading to the generation of sprites were examined on the basis of analyses on the interrelation among radar reflectivity, lightning, and static electric field during the winter of 2004/2005 in the Hokuriku area of Japan. Eleven cases from the observed fifteen sprite events exhibit similar characteristics, so we present a typical case study of the thundercloud system. The analysis results are summarized as follows: (1)

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“…The reflecting waveguide effect in the Schumann resonance frequency range (3-40 Hz) is vital for the global detection and analysis of spriteproducing lightning from a single measurement station. 13 Lightning, the auroras, glow discharges, and sprites are all luminous plasmas characterized by intermediate concentrations of free electrons. With an electron density of 10 18 cm ⊗3 in the hottest channels (30 000 K), lightning has been shown to backscatter microwaves as a conductor at wavelengths as short as a few centimeters.…”

Section: Plasma Frequencymentioning

confidence: 99%