Sprites, Elves, and Glow Discharge Tubes

Williams, Earle

doi:10.1063/1.1428435

Cited by 68 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 15 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%

“…Breakdown is induced by a strong transient electric field resulting from the removal of large amounts of charge in a cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flash [Pasko et al, 1996[Pasko et al, , 1997Williams, 2001]. As initially suggested by Wilson [1924], an important metric in this process is the charge moment change (CMC):…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[3] As reviewed by Williams and Yair [2006], in order to achieve these large CMC values, the present paradigm for sprite production in warm-season thunderstorms is the discharging of hundreds of C of positive charge within a laterally extensive layer near 0°C in the stratiform region of a mesoscale convective system (MCS) [Houze et al, 1990] by energetic positive CG (+CG) lightning [Marshall and Rust, 1993;Boccippio et al, 1995;Lyons, 1996;Marshall et al, 1996;Williams, 1998;Marshall et al, 2001;Williams, 2001;Lyons et al, 2003]. Such lightning often propagates along cloud base and is called "spider lightning" [Marshall et al, 1989;Mazur et al, 1995Mazur et al, , 1998].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2010

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“…A key observable in this method, introduced by Wilson, is the vertical charge moment of the lightning flash. This parameter sees much usage and discussion in Wilson's notebooks, and today is an important criterion for the occurrence of sprites in the mesosphere [Williams, 2001], a phenomenon predicted by Wilson [1925b].…”

Section: Laboratory Work: Cavendish Laboratorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Origin and context of C. T. R. Wilson's ideas on electron runaway in thunderclouds

Williams

2010

J. Geophys. Res.

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[1] The publications, research notebooks and personal correspondence of C.T.R. Wilson are reviewed to understand his thinking on the idea of electron runaway in thunderclouds. The expansion cloud chamber, developed and refined over a period of nearly fifty years, is centrally important. Wilson's habit of research is characterized by a pattern of alternating between laboratory work with the cloud chamber and field observations of thunderclouds and the global electrical circuit. The evidence that the ionization tracks of electrons in the cloud chamber straightened with increasing energy was key to the idea of electron runaway, published in 1925. Despite numerous negative results by Wilson's colleagues Schonland, Halliday and others in searching for energetic particles in the vicinity of thunderclouds, Wilson supported the idea from its inception to his final publication in 1956. Wilson's notebooks indicate a conceptual awareness of runaway breakdown in thunderclouds 60 years in advance of contemporary theoretical publications. Definitive observational results on runaway breakdown in contemporary research were likely delayed for 60 years as a result of the unfortunate negative experimental results with inadequate equipment.

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“…Sprites, jets, elves, halos and trolls are names of various TLEs differing in altitude, dimensions, type of motions and duration (introduction e.g. in [11] and references therein).…”

Section: Tles and Ionospherementioning

confidence: 99%

Possibilities for selected space weather and atmospheric studies in JEM-EUSO project?

Kudela¹

2016

Proceedings of the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference — PoS(ICRC2015)

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for the JEM-EUSO CollaborationThe main scientific task of JEM-EUSO is to observe the ultra high energy cosmic rays by looking the atmosphere from space [1,2,3,4]. The detailed description of various sources of the background is important. On the other hand, the study of selected magnetospheric, ionospheric and atmospheric processes related to temporal and spatial variability of UV (ultraviolet) on the orbit where JEM-EUSO is supposed to be situated, could be a useful by-product of the main task of the project (e.g. review [5]). We attempt to summarize selected processes connected with atmospheric electricity and with energetic particles having links to the events as TLE (transient luminous event), TGF (terrestrial gamma-ray flash) and TGE (thunderstorm ground enhancement), recently observed on mountains too. Our groups (in CBK Warsaw, in IEP Košice) have a long track of experience with measurements of waves and particles for magnetospheric/ionospheric research as well as with physical analysis/interpretation of the data obtained. The JEM-EUSO, if the experiment is augmented by a very simple device that monitors energetic particles, and coordinated with other satellite measurements and with ground based observations, may be of relevance for some space weather studies related to the effects in the chain magnetosphere/ionosphere/atmosphere. This can contribute to better understanding of electromagnetic responses of lightning on the Earth and of selected processes at high altitudes in the atmosphere.

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Sprites, Elves, and Glow Discharge Tubes

Abstract: The venerable field of gaseous electronics underlies the understanding of a lightning-like phenomenon of spectacular extent, shape, and color.

Cited by 68 publications

References 15 publications

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

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

Origin and context of C. T. R. Wilson's ideas on electron runaway in thunderclouds

Possibilities for selected space weather and atmospheric studies in JEM-EUSO project?

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