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Electrical discharge from a thundercloud top to the lower ionosphere.
Victor P Pasko1, Mark A Stanley, John D Mathews
1CSSL Laboratory, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA. vpasko@psu.edu
Nature
|March 15, 2002
Summary
Researchers recorded a rare blue jet, a type of lightning, extending unusually high into the atmosphere. This phenomenon may be a key, previously overlooked, part of Earth's global electric circuit.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric physics
- Electromagnetism
- Optical phenomena
Background:
- Unusual luminous phenomena above thunderclouds have been reported for over a century.
- Two main types of upper-atmospheric lightning, sprites and blue jets, have been identified.
- Previous research lacked conclusive experimental data on direct electrical contact between thunderclouds and the ionosphere.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide experimental evidence of electrical discharge between thunderclouds and the upper atmosphere.
- To analyze the characteristics of a unique blue jet event.
Main Methods:
- Video recording of a blue jet event at the Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico.
- Analysis of the flash's propagation path and altitude.
- Observation of the phenomenon above a small thunderstorm cell.
Main Results:
- A blue jet was recorded propagating from a thundercloud to an altitude of approximately 70 km.
- Above 42 km, the blue jet displayed characteristics typically seen in sprites.
- The event occurred above a relatively small thunderstorm.
Conclusions:
- The observed phenomenon suggests a potential direct electrical pathway between thunderclouds and the lower ionosphere.
- This event may represent an unaccounted component of the global electric circuit.
- Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and implications of such events.
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