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ELF sferic energy as a proxy indicator for sprite occurrence
Author(s) -
Reising Steven C.,
Inan Umran S.,
Bell Timothy F.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl900123
Subject(s) - sprite (computer graphics) , thunderstorm , ionosphere , storm , geology , remote sensing , meteorology , geophysics , environmental science , physics , computer science , computer vision
Broadband ELF/VLF measurements of sferics near Ft. Collins, Colorado, demonstrate that ELF sferic energy is a proxy for sprite occurrence which can be used to estimate the number of sprites produced by a thunderstorm. Ultra‐long range (∼12,000 km) measurements at Palmer Station, Antarctica, confirm the application of this proxy to storms where no video observations of sprites are available. Comparison with high‐resolution photometer measurements demonstrate the simultaneity of sprite luminosity and an ELF “second pulse” believed to be radiated by electrical currents within the sprite body [ Cummer et al., 1998]. Measurements of the second ELF pulse are used to identify a quantitative relationship between the current in sprites and total sprite luminosity.