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Needle-like structures discovered on positively charged lightning branches.

B M Hare1, O Scholten2,3, J Dwyer4

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New research reveals "needles," small plasma structures, are the primary source of radio emission from positive leaders in lightning. These structures explain leader disconnection and multiple cloud-to-ground lightning events.

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Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric physics
  • Plasma physics
  • Electromagnetism

Background:

  • Lightning is a poorly understood natural phenomenon involving plasma channels called leaders.
  • Negative leaders emit radio pulses, while positive leaders emit less high-frequency radiation and behave differently.
  • Previous theories on leader disconnection lack full explanation for positive leader behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the source of radio emission from positive leaders in lightning.
  • To understand the mechanism behind leader disconnection and multiple cloud-to-ground lightning events.

Main Methods:

  • Three-dimensional radio interferometric observations of lightning.
  • High spatiotemporal resolution imaging of lightning phenomena.

Main Results:

  • Identified small plasma structures, termed 'needles,' as the dominant source of radio emission from positive leaders.
  • Observed that these 'needles' appear to drain charge from the leader.
  • Found a correlation between 'needles' and leader disconnection events.

Conclusions:

  • 'Needles' are responsible for the radio emission from positive leaders.
  • 'Needles' likely explain why positive leaders disconnect from negative ones.
  • 'Needles' may also explain the multiple connections in cloud-to-ground lightning events.