Optical signatures of lightning-induced electron precipitation

Details Optical signatures of lightning-induced electron precipitation Optical signatures of lightning-induced electron precipitation

Aug 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011jgra..11608214m&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 116, Issue A8, CiteID A08214

Physics

Ionosphere: Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Interactions (2736), Ionosphere: Particle Precipitation, Magnetospheric Physics: Radiation Belts, Atmospheric Processes: Lightning

Scientific paper

Model calculations are conducted to estimate the optical emission brightness caused by lightning-induced electron precipitation. Pitch angle scattering of energetic radiation belt electrons by lightning-generated whistler mode waves results in precipitation in the upper atmosphere. Assuming a lightning peak current and location, plasmasphere distribution, and radiation belt density and pitch angle distributions, we calculate the secondary ionization production and optical emissions in a number of lines and bands. We find that the brightness in N2 1P and O(1S) may reach a few to 10 R for a 100 kA peak current discharge, with a distinct spatial and temporal signature of 1-2 s. A simple signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculation shows that this signature should be detectable with modern photometric instruments with an SNR ˜4. We further investigate the dependence of this brightness on lightning source latitude and peak current.

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