Understanding the link between lightning, terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and gamma-ray glows
A thunderstorm is the birthplace of the most energetic natural particle acceleration process on Earth. Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) and gamma-ray glows are manifestations of these acceleration process. Lightning, TGFs and glows are closely related but their precise relationship is still unknown. A missing link is in-situ observations close to the thunderclouds where these high-energy phenomena are produced.
About the research project
Our ambition is to gather and analyze the first multi-wavelength observations of TGFs and glows from an aircraft (gamma-rays, optical, electric field), coordinated with ground-based radio observations.
Our objective is to understand the processes and dynamics of lightning that lead to the production of TGFs, and their relationship with gamma-ray glows. It will solve a long standing scientific puzzle and shed light on the physics of intracloud discharges, which are the most common type of lightning on Earth.
Quantification of the effects of TGFs and glows on local thundercloud chemistry and dynamics, may also have further impacts on atmospheric electricity, atmospheric sciences, and climate research.
People
Project manager
Martino Marisaldi Professor