Journal Article

PUBDB-2022-00619

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png The Spontaneous Nature of Lightning Initiation Revealed

Sterpka, C. (Corresponding author) ; Dwyer, J. ; Liu, N. ; Hare, B. M. ; Scholten, O. ; Buitink, S. ; Veen, S. t. ; Nelles, A.Extern*DESY*

2021
Wiley Hoboken, NJ

This record in other databases:    

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1029/2021GL095511  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2022-00619

Abstract: Here, we present new radio interferometer beamforming observations of lightning initiation using data from the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR). We show that the first lightning source in the flash increases exponentially in intensity by two orders of magnitude in 15 μs, while propagating 88 m away from the initiation location at a constant speed of 4.8 ± 0.1 × 10$^6$ m/s. A second source replaces the first source at the initiation location, and subsequent propagation of the lightning leader follows. We interpret the first source to be a rapidly propagating and intensifying positive streamer discharge that subsequently produces a hot leader channel near the initiation point. How lightning initiates is one of the greatest unsolved problems in the atmospheric sciences, and these results shed light on this longstanding mystery.

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. RADIO (Z-RAD)

Research Program(s):

1. 613 - Matter and Radiation from the Universe (POF4-613) (POF4-613)

Experiment(s):

1. Measurement at external facility

Appears in the scientific report 2021

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DEAL Wiley ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

---