Electric field values observed near lightning flash initiations

Stolzenburg, Maribeth; Marshall, T. C.; Rust, W. David; Bruning, Eric C.; MacGorman, Donald R.; Hamlin, T.

doi:10.1029/2006gl028777

Cited by 99 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Runaway electrons occur for kinetic energies greater than the threshold energy, ε > ε th . In the figure, E c is the critical electric field strength for which low-energy thermal electrons will run away, and E b is the so-called break-even field balloon soundings inside thunderclouds often measured maximum electric fields near the break-even field, suggesting a possible connection between lightning initiation and runaway election production (also see Stolzenburg et al 2007). Figure 1 shows the rate of energy loss of an energetic electron moving in air (effective frictional force).…”

Section: Wilson Runaway Electronsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Energy Atmospheric Physics: Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes and Related Phenomena

2012

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It is now well established that both thunderclouds and lightning routinely emit x-rays and gamma-rays. These emissions appear over wide timescales, ranging from submicrosecond bursts of x-rays associated with lightning leaders, to sub-millisecond bursts of gamma-rays seen in space called terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, to minute long glows from thunderclouds seen on the ground and in or near the cloud by aircraft and balloons. In particular, terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs), which are thought to be emitted by thunderclouds, are so bright that they sometimes saturate detectors on spacecraft hundreds of kilometers away. These TGFs also generate energetic secondary electrons and positrons that are detected by spacecraft in the inner magnetosphere. It is generally believed that these x-ray and gamma-ray emissions are generated, via bremsstrahlung, by energetic runaway electrons that are accelerated by electric fields in the atmosphere. In this paper, we review this newly emerging field of High-Energy Atmospheric Physics, including the production of runaway electrons, the production and propagation of energetic radiation, and the effects of both on atmospheric electrodynamics.

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Section: Wilson Runaway Electronsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Energy Atmospheric Physics: Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes and Related Phenomena

2012

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“…The charge separation leads to high electric field strengths in thunderstorms (Marshall et al, 1995). Once the electric field exceeds a certain threshold value, a lightning discharge may occur (Stolzenburg et al, 2007). The threshold value decreases with altitude and is of the order of 100 to 400 kV m −1 , far smaller than in the laboratory, Atmos.…”

Section: Lightningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cloud-resolving models may be able to resolve convection which occurs as singlecell, multicell and supercell convective storms and MCS (Maddox, 1980;Houze, 2004). The large-scale models should be able to resolve the "warm conveyor belt" of midlatitude cyclones contributing to long-distance trace species transport (Browning, 1990;Stohl et al, 2003;Huntrieser et al, 2005). CTMs are often tested in their ability to represent the transport and chemistry of species for given meteorology (Brunner et al, 2003(Brunner et al, , 2005Zhang et al, 2003b;Eyring et al, 2006;Gauss et al, 2006;Stevenson et al, 2006;van Noije et al, 2006).…”

Section: Other Trace Species From Lightningmentioning

confidence: 99%

The global lightning-induced nitrogen oxides source

2007

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Abstract. The knowledge of the lightning-induced nitrogen oxides (LNO x ) source is important for understanding and predicting the nitrogen oxides and ozone distributions in the troposphere and their trends, the oxidising capacity of the atmosphere, and the lifetime of trace gases destroyed by reactions with OH. This knowledge is further required for the assessment of other important NO x sources, in particular from aviation emissions, the stratosphere, and from surface sources, and for understanding the possible feedback between climate changes and lightning. This paper reviews more than 3 decades of research. The review includes laboratory studies as well as surface, airborne and satellite-based observations of lightning and of NO x and related species in the atmosphere. Relevant data available from measurements in regions with strong LNO x influence are identified, including recent observations at midlatitudes and over tropical continents where most lightning occurs. Various methods to model LNO x at cloud scales or globally are described. Previous estimates are re-evaluated using the global annual mean flash frequency of 44±5 s −1 reported from OTD satellite data. From the review, mainly of airborne measurements near thunderstorms and cloud-resolving models, we conclude that a "typical" thunderstorm flash produces 15 (2-40)×10 25 NO molecules per flash, equivalent to 250 mol NO x or 3.5 kg of N mass per flash with uncertainty factor from 0.13 to 2.7. Mainly as a result of global model studies for various LNO x parameterisations tested with related observations, the best estimate of the annual global LNO x nitrogen mass source and its uncertainty range is (5±3) Tg a −1 in this study. In spite of a smaller global flash rate, the best estimate is essentially the same as in some earlier reviews, implying larger flash-specific NO x emissions. The paper estimates the LNO x accuracy required for various applications and lays out strategies for improving estimates in the future. An accuracy of Correspondence to: U. Schumann (ulrich.schumann@dlr.de) about 1 Tg a −1 or 20%, as necessary in particular for understanding tropical tropospheric chemistry, is still a challenging goal.

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“…1). Interestingly, macroscopic field strengths near or exceeding the threshold for CB have never been measured in terrestrial thunderstorms while values near and exceeding the threshold for RB have often been measured (see e.g., Stolzenburg et al 2007). At the same time it is important to note that positive and negative leaders can propagate in long gaps with sizes exceeding several tens of meters at ground pressure (Raizer 1991, p. 362) at fields that are significantly below the CB threshold but the question of how the leader is initiated in the first place particularly for lightning remains unanswered (e.g., Uman 2001, p. 79;Raizer 1991, p. 370;Bazelyan and Raizer 1998, pp.…”

Section: Electron Transport and Avalanche In Gasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Processes Related to Discharges in Planetary Atmospheres

Roussel-Dupré

Colman

Symbalisty

et al. 2008

Space Sciences Series of ISSI

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This paper focuses on the rudimentary principles of discharge physics. The kinetic theory of electron transport in gases relevant to planetary atmospheres is examined and results of detailed Boltzmann kinetic calculations are presented for a range of applied electric fields. Comparisons against experimental swarm data are made. Both conventional breakdown and runaway breakdown are covered in detail. The phenomena of transient luminous events (TLEs), particularly sprites, and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) are discussed briefly as examples of discharges that occur in the terrestrial environment. The observations of terrestrial lightning that exist across the electromagnetic spectrum and presented throughout this volume fit well with the broader understanding of discharge physics that we present in this paper. We hope that this material provides the foundation on which explorations in search of discharge processes on other planets can be based and previous evidence confirmed or refuted.R. Roussel-Dupré ( ) · J.J. Colman · E. Symbalisty

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Electric field values observed near lightning flash initiations

Cited by 99 publications

References 22 publications

High-Energy Atmospheric Physics: Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes and Related Phenomena

High-Energy Atmospheric Physics: Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes and Related Phenomena

The global lightning-induced nitrogen oxides source

Physical Processes Related to Discharges in Planetary Atmospheres

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