Elves and associated electron density changes due to cloud-to-ground and in-cloud lightning discharges

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

8

Atmospheric Processes: Atmospheric Electricity, Ionosphere: Ionosphere/Atmosphere Interactions (0335), Atmospheric Processes: Lightning, Ionosphere: Ionospheric Disturbances

Scientific paper

A 3-D finite difference time domain model is used to simulate the lightning electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and its interaction with the lower ionosphere. Results agree with the frequently observed, doughnut-shaped optical signature of elves but show that the structure exhibits asymmetry due to the presence of Earth's ambient magnetic field. Furthermore, in-cloud (horizontal) lightning channels produce observable optical emissions without the doughnut shape and, in fact, produce a much stronger optical output for the same channel current. Electron density perturbations associated with elves are also calculated, with contributions from attachment and ionization. Results presented as a function of parameters such as magnetic field direction, dipole current orientation, altitude and amplitude, and ambient ionospheric density profile demonstrate the highly nonlinear nature of the EMP-ionosphere interaction. Ionospheric effects of a sequence of in-cloud discharges are calculated, simulating a burst of in-cloud lightning activity and resulting in large density changes in the overlying ionosphere.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Elves and associated electron density changes due to cloud-to-ground and in-cloud lightning discharges does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Elves and associated electron density changes due to cloud-to-ground and in-cloud lightning discharges, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Elves and associated electron density changes due to cloud-to-ground and in-cloud lightning discharges will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1584404

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.