Dark Lightning

黑暗闪电

• 批准号: 0947130
• 负责人: Robert Holzworth
• 金额: $ 19.27万
• 依托单位: University of Washington
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2014-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0947130&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dark; Lightning

One of the biggest mysteries in lightning science is the Narrow Bipolar Event (NBE), a rapid intracloud charge transfer. Its physics remains enigmatic, because the NBE: (a) lacks readily detectable light output, unlike all other known lightning of comparable current; (b) lacks any detectable channel-preparation (leader) process, again unlike all other known lightning strokes; and (c) radiates the most powerful High-Frequency (HF) and Very-High-Frequency (VHF) emissions compared with those of any lightning.Intellectual merit. This study will investigate the properties of NBEs using both satellite- and ground-based observational data. In particular, the project involves analyzing polarization and spectral information in the data by studying all VHF events. The research will improve current understanding of the physics of NBEs, and may advance our knowledge on lightning initiation processes.Broader impacts. The remote sensing of lightning from space is an important proxy for monitoring convective weather processes. Detecting and understanding of intracloud charge transfer may improve prediction of severe weather. The research may also shed light on lightning initiation processes, terrestrial gamma ray flashes, or any other types of unusual discharges in the atmosphere. A graduate student will be trained in this subject area as well.

闪电科学中最大的谜团之一是窄双极事件（NBE），一种快速的云内电荷转移。 它的物理原理仍然是个谜，因为 NBE：（a）与所有其他已知的具有可比电流的闪电不同，缺乏易于检测的光输出； (b) 缺乏任何可检测的通道准备（引导）过程，这又与所有其他已知的雷击不同； (c) 与任何闪电相比，辐射出最强大的高频 (HF) 和甚高频 (VHF) 发射。智力价值。 这项研究将利用卫星和地面观测数据来研究 NBE 的特性。 特别是，该项目涉及通过研究所有 VHF 事件来分析数据中的偏振和光谱信息。 这项研究将提高目前对 NBE 物理的理解，并可能增进我们对闪电引发过程的了解。产生更广泛的影响。 太空闪电遥感是监测对流天气过程的重要指标。 检测和理解云内电荷转移可以改善对恶劣天气的预测。 这项研究还可能揭示闪电引发过程、地面伽马射线闪光或大气中任何其他类型的异常放电。 研究生也将接受该学科领域的培训。