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

该项目将调查闪电作为被称为瞬变发光事件(TLEs)的高空光学发射的来源。调查的目的是量化高层大气中TLEs的等离子体化学和光化学效应，并揭示大气物种在受到短脉冲外力影响时的可能路径。这些目标将通过开发和应用自洽的等离子体化学和光化学模型来实现，通过光学光谱学对TLE进行遥感，通过在佛罗里达理工学院建立和维护TLE观测点来持续获取数据，并将模拟结果与卫星测量和地面高速视频观测进行比较。该项目的教育目标是培养下一代空气动力学领域的研究人员，并培养高中生和普通公众对大气科学的兴趣。教育活动包括：1)研究生和本科生培训，2)通过将研究元素融入课堂来开发课程，3)建立TLE网站以实现数据共享和公共宣传，以及4)通过参与佛罗里达理工学院脚背计划来改善高中科学教育，这是NSF资助的GK-12计划。

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.