Collaborative Research: Observations of Gamma Emissions and Electric-Field Changes in and above Thunderstorms during STEPS

合作研究：STEPS 期间雷暴及其上方的伽玛发射和电场变化的观测

• 批准号: 0075727
• 负责人: William Beasley
• 金额: $ 22.5万
• 依托单位: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-06-01 至 2005-11-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0075727&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Observations; Gamma; Emissions

The Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study field program (STEPS), planned for the early summer of 2000 in western Kansas, will provide a wide range of observations in and around thunderstorms using aircraft, radar, and other observing systems. As part of STEPS, Dr. Eack and his Co-PI Dr. William Beasley of the University of Oklahoma will launch balloons that are equipped with special instruments to measure gamma rays (and x-rays) and short-term fluctuations in the electric field at altitudes within and just above thunderstorms. They will also arrange for a gamma-ray detector to be flown on the South Dakota T-28 armored aircraft. Objectives of the research are (1) to test hypotheses for the production of transient luminous events (TLEs) including sprites, elves, and blue jets, which are observed at altitudes in the middle atmosphere above thunderstorms; (2) to test hypotheses for the production of bremsstrahlung radiation within thunderstorms by runaway electron processes; (3) to evaluate models for lightning initiation and return strokes. Data analysis will be closely coordinated with other NSF-supported STEPS projects, including the New Mexico Tech lightning mapper (ATM-9912073), the CHILL radar (ATM-9912051 and -9982030), the South Dakota armored aircraft (ATM-9981175), balloon soundings of the electrical field (ATM-9912562), and visual observations of TLEs (ATM-0000569).

计划于2000年初夏在堪萨斯西部进行的强雷暴带电和降水研究实地项目（STEPS）将利用飞机、雷达和其他观测系统对雷暴及其周围地区进行广泛的观测。 作为STEPS的一部分，Eack博士和他的合作PI俄克拉荷马州大学的William比斯利博士将发射配备特殊仪器的气球，以测量雷暴内和雷暴上方高度的伽马射线（和X射线）和电场的短期波动。 他们还将安排一个伽马射线探测器在南达科他州T-28装甲飞机上飞行。 研究的目的是：（1）检验在雷暴上空中层大气高度上观测到的包括精灵、精灵和蓝色喷流在内的瞬变发光事件（TLEs）产生的假设;（2）检验雷暴中由逃逸电子过程产生韧致辐射的假设;（3）评估闪电起始和回击的模型。 数据分析将与其他NSF支持的STEPS项目密切协调，包括新墨西哥州技术闪电测绘仪（ATM-9912073），CHILL雷达（ATM-9912051和-9982030），南达科他州装甲飞机（ATM-9981175）、电场气球探测（ATM-9912562）和TLE目视观察（ATM-0000569）。