Global Impact of Lightning-Generated VLF Waves on Radiation Belt Electron Losses

该项目旨在评估闪电产生的甚低频(VLF)波对辐射带电子损失的全球影响，这一过程被称为闪电诱导电子沉淀(LEP)。该项目将涉及以下主题：(1)量化地磁暴期间注入高能太阳粒子之间的联系；(2)量化闪电参数和由此产生的LEP特征之间的联系；(3)得出闪电对辐射带高能电子损失的总贡献。为了量化闪电在辐射带高能电子损失中的作用，需要连续和可靠的全球闪电地理位置数据和全球观测点网络来探测这些降水事件。一个新的闪电地理定位网络首次全面覆盖全球闪电活动，全球甚低频接收器网络现已开始运作，从而能够监测与电子沉淀有关的电离层扰动。最后，最近的努力在模拟物理过程方面取得了两项重大突破。该项目将有助于斯坦福大学研究生的培养。该方案将利用并加强在国际太阳物理年(IHY)主持下建立的甚低频接收器国际网络。在这项计划下，斯坦福大学在发展中国家安置了25名接收者，赞助和培训当地科学家使用这些数据。斯坦福大学已经建立了重要的基础设施来支持这一计划，并继续举办一系列吸引世界各地科学家参与的国际研讨会。

This project is directed at assessing the global impact of lightning-generated Very Low Frequency (VLF) waves on radiation belt electron loss, a process known as lightning-induced electron precipitation (LEP). The project will address the following topics: (1) Quantify the connection between injection of energetic solar particles during geomagnetic storms, (2) Quantify the connections between lightning parameters and resulting LEP characteristics, and (3) Derive the total contribution of lightning to radiation belt energetic electron losses. In order to quantify the role of lightning in energetic electron losses from the radiation belts, continuous and reliable global lightning geo-location data and a global network of observation sites to detect these precipitation events are needed. A new lightning geo-location network provides complete global coverage of lightning activity for the first time, and a global network of VLF receivers now operates, allowing monitoring of ionospheric disturbances associated with the electron precipitation. Finally, recent efforts have yielded two major breakthroughs in modeling the physical process. This project will contribute to the training of a graduate student at Stanford University. The program will leverage, and consequently strengthen, an international network of VLF receivers that was set up under the auspices of the International Heliophysical Year (IHY). Under this program, Stanford University has placed ¡­25 receivers in developing countries, sponsoring and training local scientists to use the data. Stanford has built significant infrastructure in support of this program and is continuing to hold a series of international workshops engaging scientists around the world.