CEDAR: Electrodynamic Coupling of Troposphere and Mesosphere in Thunderstorm Regions

这个为期两年的奖项将调查对流层和大气层中间层区域由于对流层闪电放电产生的强短持续时间电磁脉冲和准静电脉冲而产生的电动耦合。 PI将开发和应用一个计算机模型，描述由于对流层闪电放电释放的电能刺激的所有三种机制的同时作用而引起的高层大气中电子密度、化学和光发射的变化。 研究的预期成果包括：（1）扰动区的三维结构，在这些扰动区内，温度、气辉、电子密度和化学过程发生显著变化;（2）确定沉积在低电离层的闪电电磁能量的比例和这种能量的主要汇;（3）确定所产生的扰动对闪电放电类型的依赖性：（4）评估闪电电磁脉冲对全球范围高层大气热平衡和化学平衡的影响;（5）研究如何利用现有的CEDAR数据库更好地了解向上放电;（6）为新的CEDAR活动准备理论基础，该活动旨在研究对流层和中间层区域的电动耦合，特别是由雷暴驱动的电动耦合。

This two-year award will investigate the electrodynamic coupling of tropospheric and mesospheric regions of the atmosphere due to intense short duration electromagnetic pulses and quasi- electrostatic pulses originating in tropospheric lightning discharges. The PI will develop and apply a computer model describing changes in the electron density, chemistry and optical emissions in the upper atmosphere due to the simultaneous action of all three mechanisms stimulated by electrical energy released in tropospheric lightning discharges. Expected results of this research include: (1) three-dimensional configurations of the disturbed regions within which significant changes occur in temperature, airglow, electron density and chemical processes; (2) determination of the fraction of electromagnetic energy from lightning deposited in the lower ionosphere and the dominant sinks of such energy; (3) determination of dependence of the resulting disturbances on the type of lightning discharges; (4) assessment of the effects of the lightning electromagnetic pulses on the thermal and chemical balance of the upper atmosphere on a global scale; (5) investigation of ways in which the existing CEDAR data bases may be used to better understand upward discharges; and (6) preparation of a theoretical basis for a new CEDAR campaign aimed at the investigation of electrodynamic coupling of tropospheric and mesospheric regions, particularly as driven by thunderstorms.***