Open AccessLightning flashes conducive to the production and escape of gamma radiation to space
Author(s) -
Williams E.,
Boldi R.,
Bór J.,
Sátori G.,
Price C.,
Greenberg E.,
Takahashi Y.,
Yamamoto K.,
Matsudo Y.,
Hobara Y.,
Hayakawa M.,
Chronis T.,
Anagnostou E.,
Smith D. M.,
Lopez L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2005jd006447
Subject(s) - thunderstorm , lightning (connector) , meteorology , tropopause , space radiation , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , radiation , upper atmospheric lightning , gamma ray , effects of high altitude on humans , altitude (triangle) , physics , lightning strike , astrophysics , stratosphere , optics , cosmic ray , power (physics) , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Gamma radiation observed in space has been associated with lightning flashes in thunderstorms. These special flashes do not appear to be the large and energetic positive ground flashes that also produce sprites. Considerations of gamma ray attenuation in air indicate that such flashes may not produce gamma radiation at sufficient altitude to enable their escape to space. High‐altitude intracloud lightning, most prevalent in the tropics where the tropopause is also high, may be a necessary source.