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Relativistic electron avalanches as a thunderstorm discharge competing with lightning
Nicole A Kelley1, David M Smith2, Joseph R Dwyer3
1Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, 7 Gauss Way, Berkeley, California 94705, USA.
Nature Communications
|August 13, 2015
Summary
Gamma-ray glows from thunderstorms are common, linked to relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREA). These glows discharge storm layers, acting as a significant charging mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric physics
- High-energy astrophysics
- Thunderstorm phenomena
Background:
- Gamma-ray glows are long-duration X-ray and gamma-ray emissions from thunderclouds.
- They are associated with relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREA), the mechanism behind terrestrial gamma-ray flashes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and characteristics of gamma-ray glows in thunderstorms.
- To determine the role of glows in storm electrical processes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of airborne detector data for energetic emissions during thunderstorms.
- Comparison of glow events with terrestrial gamma-ray flashes.
- Modeling of RREA processes and their contribution to charge transfer.
Main Results:
- Gamma-ray glows are common phenomena near thunderstorm tops.
- The strongest measured glow occurred at the end of a downward RREA, between the upper positive and negative screening charge layers.
- This glow discharged the upper positive layer with a current of at least 9.6 mA.
Conclusions:
- Gamma-ray glows are a significant, common mechanism for charging thunderstorms.
- Glows play a crucial role in the electrical dynamics of thunderstorms, particularly in discharging upper positive charge layers.
- The observed gamma-ray flux suggests the onset of relativistic feedback processes during these events.
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