Various Properties of Natural and Triggered Lightning Discharges

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9415507 Uman The objective of the proposed research is an improvement in the presently existing knowledge of the physical processes comprising the lightning discharge with emphasis on the least well understood processes of lightning initiation in the cloud and lightning attachment to ground. The project includes both experimental and theoretical studies of natural and artificially initiated (rocket- triggered) lightning flashes. The latter part of 1994 will be primarily devoted to the analysis of the presently in-hand unique triggered-lightning data (currents, multiple-station electric and magnetic fields, and optical records) acquired in 1993 in Florida and Alabama. During 1995 and 1996 the research will be primarily concentrated on building two relatively large data bases: (1) extremely close measurements of electric and magnetic fields (in conjunction with simultaneous current and optical records obtained by cooperating research groups) of the rocket-triggered lightning at Camp Blanding, Florida and Fort McClellan, Alabama and (2) electric and magnetic field records of both cloud-to-ground and in- cloud natural lightning acquired with a state-of-the-art digitizing system. The year 1997 will be devoted primarily to the analysis of the newly acquired data and associated theoretical studies concentrating on the least understood processes that occur inside the cloud and during the lightning attachment to ground. The development of a new theory of the lightning discharge to ground taking into account the lightning attachment processes a will be attempted.