CAREER: The Plasmochemistry and Photochemistry of the Upper Atmosphere Induced by Transient Luminous Events

该项目将研究闪电作为高空光发射源，称为瞬态发光事件（TLEs）。 调查的目的是量化的等离子体化学和光化学效应的TLEs在高层大气中，并揭示可能的途径，大气物种的影响后，短期，脉冲外力。 这些目标将通过开发和应用TLE的自洽等离子体化学和光化学模型，通过光谱学对TLE进行遥感，通过在佛罗里达理工学院建立和维护TLE观测站来连续获取数据，并将模拟结果与卫星测量结果进行比较，该项目的教育目标是培养下一代高层大气物理学领域的研究人员，并培养对高层大气物理学的兴趣。学校学生和公众在大气科学。 教育活动包括：1）研究生和本科生培训，2）课程开发，将研究的元素纳入课堂，3）建立一个TLE网站的数据共享和公众宣传，以及4）通过参与佛罗里达技术InSTEP计划，NSF资助的GK-12计划，提高高中科学教育。

The project will investigate lightning as a source for high-altitude optical emissions known as transient luminous events (TLEs). The objectives of the investigation are to quantify the plasmochemical and photochemical effects of TLEs in the upper atmosphere and to reveal possible pathways of atmospheric species upon impact by short, impulsive external forces. These goals will be achieved by developing and applying a self-consistent plasma chemistry and photochemistry model for TLEs, remote sensing of TLEs through optical spectroscopy, continuous data acquisition by building and maintaining a TLE observation site at Florida Tech, and comparing modeling results with satellite measurements and high-speed video observations from ground.The educational objectives of the project are to train the next generation of researchers in the areas of aeronomy and to foster the interest of high school students and general public in atmospheric sciences. The education activities include: 1) graduate and undergraduate student training, 2) curriculum development by incorporating elements of the research into classroom, 3) building a TLE website for data sharing and public outreach, and 4) improving high school science education by participating in the Florida Tech InSTEP program, an NSF-funded GK-12 program.