Heating of the lower ionosphere electrons by electromagnetic radiation of lightning discharges

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 3015-3018 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Nickolaenko ◽  
M. Hayakawa

High altitude optical discharges generated by extreme cloud-to-ground lightning strokes, which occur in the middle region of the atmosphere known as sprites. Streamer formation in sprites has been well stated to be existing by several previous workers. These streamers are not only responsible for the initiation of sprites but also they are composed of these streamers. It causes the production of electromagnetic radiation upto or below the ELF (very low frequency) region which have been reported earlier through various research theories. Thus, we are reporting out for the formulation of the model by using an earlier model used to estimate higher frequency radiation from cloud and ground lightning discharges through these positive corona streamers. Taking it into account, other terms like radiation magnetic field has been evaluated with the studied observations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 127 ◽  
pp. 03005
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Argunov ◽  
Mikhail Gotovtsev

The specific features of a method for radiosounding the lower ionosphere over earthquake epicenters using LF electromagnetic signals of thunderstorm sources (atmospherics) have been considered. The effects of shallow-focus earthquakes with magnitudes larger than 4.0 and their precursors manifest themselves in amplitude characteristics of atmospherics. It has been assumed that variations in the signal characteristics are related to disturbances in the lower ionosphere. According to the results of azimuthal scanning, cross sectional dimensions of disturbed regions, as a rule, correspond to the dimensions of the first two Fresnel zones for signals at a frequency of 10 kHz. Azimuthal scanning also indicated that the positions of disturbed regions during and before earthquakes could have a certain dynamics and differ from the projection onto the earthquake epicenter. Quasi-periodic variations of signal amplitude of lightning discharges passing over earthquake epicenters are in details considered. It has been obtained that the period of amplitude modulation makes up 2-3 hours, i.e. in the ionosphere D-layer the same values of the periods of wave phenomena are registered as which are observed in a higher F-region of the ionosphere. The results obtained during the work specify that, at least, in the part of events the seismic disturbances in the ionosphere can be caused by AGW, propagating upwards from the epicentral area.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-45
Author(s):  
M. K. Paras ◽  
P. Rani

Lightning discharge is a spectacular, luminous and one of the most dangerous short lived phenomenon which occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere ranging from troposphere to the lower ionosphere. Lightning in troposphere is mainly classified as cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning, intra-cloud lightning and inter-cloud lightning discharges. It is assumed that these discharges are caused by the electrically charged thunderclouds. CG lightning has been studied more and is further categorized as positive CG and negative CG lightning. Positive CG lightning is more powerful and accounts only (5-10) percent of the total global lightning and may carry a peak current of >300 kA. An entire family of other electrical discharges also has been reported by the scientific community. They are called “Transient’s Luminous Events (TLE’s)”. TLEs occur from top of the thunderclouds up to the lower ionospheric altitudes. Their first visual evidence was documented in 1989. TLE’s are included as blue starters, blue jets, gigantic jets, red sprites, halos, and elves. They are named according to their optical properties, terminal altitudes and different shapes. It has been observed that TLE’s are associated with underlying thunderstorm activity and strong CG lightning. The exact physical mechanism of lightning and TLE’s and their association with the underlying thunderstorms is still unknown and the research is going on. In this paper, we will study the possible mechanisms of these electrical discharges, their inter-connection and impacts on the atmosphere. This papers is aimed at the readers generally are unfamiliar with the lightning characteristics. We hope that this article will increase the interest among the researchers.


2011 ◽  
Vol 131 (8) ◽  
pp. 659-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuuki Sumida ◽  
Satoru Yoshida ◽  
Yoshitaka Nakamura ◽  
Manabu Akita ◽  
Takeshi Morimoto ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 5794-5804 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Kotovsky ◽  
R. C. Moore ◽  
Y. Zhu ◽  
M. D. Tran ◽  
V. A. Rakov ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.V. Moshkov ◽  

The value and duration of attenuation of low frequency waves (1...10 kHz) in the presence of a strong local disturbance of the atmosphere have been estimated. Sources of significant local disturbances of the atmosphere are, for example, precipitation of energetic particles of radiation belts; electromagnetic pulses of lightning discharges; radiation of powerful low-frequency ground-based transmitters; invasion of large meteors. Strong local disturbances lead to an increase of ionization (concentration of free electrons) of the environment by several orders of magnitude in the region of space whose characteristic dimensions are comparable to the length of the wave (tens and hundreds of kilometers). As such a disturbance, we use the previously developed macroscopic model of an instantaneous, point release of a relatively large amount of energy in the atmosphere below the ionosphere. This model makes it possible to estimate the features of the propagation of low-frequency waves through the disturbed layer of the lower ionosphere by changing only two initial parameters: the disturbance energy and its initial height. It is shown that the attenuation value is almost independent of frequency and geo- and heliophysical conditions. For initial heights up to 50 km, the fading duration does not exceed ~ 2 min. With an increase of the initial altitude, the attenuation in the lower ionosphere becomes extremely large. However, for heights of 50 ... 70 km (depending on the value of energy), the horizontal size of the disturbance decreases significantly, which leads to a decrease in the fading time to tens of seconds for initial heights of more than 80 km.


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