Gamma Rays Detected During Lightning Formation: Groundbreaking Discovery in Thunderstorm Physics

For the first time, there was a clear signature of a gamma ray flare right at the start of a lightning flash, which could have important implications for understanding the sources of terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs). These findings help explain the complex mechanisms in thunderstorms and their effects on atmospheric physics.

Capitani Insight into Gamma Rays In Thunderstorms.

Gammma radiation are energetic electromagnetic waves emitted by a wide range of celestial and terrestrial events. During a thunderstorm, such rays are produced when powerful electric fields accelerate electrons, making them travel at relativistic speeds and collide with air molecules to create gamma rays.

~Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes The position of terrestrial gamma ray flashes

TGFs are short bursts of gamma rays coming from the Earth's atmosphere. They are usually linked to lightning and are thought to be an initiator of lightning because they affect the electric fields in thunderclouds. Scientific American

Background and Issues from Earlier Observations

TGFs cannot be tracked to the same accuracy from space as will be achieved from Earth; their exact origin within thunderstorms is local and has been difficult to infer. Prior research has hinted that TGFs might be connected to lightning, but there had been no direct observations of gamma ray emission while lightning is being created. arXiv+2Wikipedia+2Scientific American+2

The Breakthrough Observation

An observation over the west coast of Japan was made by a group of researchers led by Yuuki Wada at the University of Osaka in January 2023. Through Sensors installed at sites near TV broadcast towers, the downward-propagating lightning leader from the towers and an upward-propagating leader were observed. As the ends of these leaders neared one another, electric fields intensified and focused, accelerating electrons and generating a 90-millisecond-long burst of gamma rays.

Importance of Findings

The observation is the first to link an individual bolt of lightning to a transient burst of terrestrial gamma rays, the researchers say---so it constitutes direct evidence of the goings-on in the genesis of lightning. The fact that the gamma ray burst happens 31 microseconds prior to the lightning flash sheds exciting new light on the process that initiates lightning.

Consequences for Atmospheric Physics

Insight into the mechanisms of TGF generation can improve our understanding of atmospheric electricity, and thunderstorm dynamics. Such studies might provide new insight into models for predicting lightning and it’s risk. Le Monde. fr+3Wikipedia+3NASA Scientific Visualization Studio+3religion of PIE valley; See also: Indo-European _ LANGUAGE&refurl=https://www.google.fr/ Google Livres World!

Risk to Aviation Safety

Detection of high energy gamma rays produced in thunderstorms might have implications on the safety of aviation. Thunderstorm-generated gamma rays and other high-energy particles could present a radiation hazard to aircraft flying above certain high-altitudes, and more work was needed to assess protective measures. arXiv+1WIRED+1

Future Research Directions

Based on this finding, we will try to find out TGFs in other atmospheric environments under different locations in future. New instrumentation and observational methods will lead to a better picture of the processes controlling TGFs and their larger implications. Wikipedia

Implications for the Larger Earth Sciences Community

The investigation of TGFs has made a broader contribution to the Earth sciences by enlightening reports of the air-based effects on the radio propagation process. This study highlights the complexity of Earth’s atmospheric systems and the importance of interdisciplinary investigation.

The flaring of g-rays during the build-up of a lightning bolt is a new payment in our quest for understanding how thunderstorms behave and the implications for their related weather events. This finding not only sheds light on the mechanisms of the initiation of lightning, but also paves the way for studies in atmospheric physics and other areas.

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