Premium
Gamma‐ray bursts of atmospheric origin in the MeV energy range
Author(s) -
Brunetti Michele,
Cecchini Stefano,
Galli Menotti,
Giovannini Giovanni,
Pagliarin Andrea
Publication year - 2000
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 - 10.1029/2000gl003750
Subject(s) - physics , range (aeronautics) , lightning (connector) , scintillation , gamma ray , radiation , environmental science , astrophysics , atmospheric sciences , nuclear physics , detector , optics , materials science , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , composite material
Downward gamma ray bursts of atmospheric origin in the MeV energy range were observed for the first time. The measurements were carried out on ground (at 2005 m above sea level) with a NaI(T1) 10×20Ø cm scintillation detector. Two kinds of events were observed: slow increases of the radiation below 3 MeV due to rain washout, and minute range bursts of gamma rays up to 10 MeV. The correspondence of these last events with perturbed weather conditions is here analyzed and the correlation with lightning activity is considered.