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Mesospheric optical sprites often occurred with positive lightning and Schumann resonance in mesoscale convective systems. This suggests sprites are triggered by rapid charge removal stressing the mesosphere to breakdown.

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Area of Science:

Atmospheric Physics
Aeronomy
Lightning Research

Background:

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are associated with complex electrical processes.
Mesospheric optical sprites are transient luminous events occurring above thunderstorms.
Schumann resonances indicate global electromagnetic phenomena within the Earth-ionosphere cavity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between mesoscale convective systems, sprites, and Schumann resonances.
To understand the triggering mechanisms of sprites.

Main Methods:

Observation of mesospheric optical sprites during summertime MCS events.
Correlation analysis with cloud-to-ground lightning data.
Analysis of Schumann resonance excitations.

Main Results:

Sprite phenomena were frequently coincident with large-amplitude positive cloud-to-ground lightning.
Transient Schumann resonance excitations were observed concurrently.
These events occurred within two distinct summertime MCSs.

Conclusions:

The findings support the hypothesis that sprites are triggered by rapid positive charge removal from extensive layers in MCSs.
This charge removal process stresses the mesosphere, leading to dielectric breakdown and sprite formation.