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Gerken & Inan 2004
Gerken, E.A. and Inan, U.S. (2004). Comparison of photometric measurements and charge moment estimations in two sprite-producing storms. Geophysical Research Letters 31: doi: 10.1029/2003GL018751. issn: 0094-8276.

In one relatively small storm on July 2, 2000, 276 sprites were observed between 04:00--07:00 UT. These sprites were largely confined to 70--85 km altitude, were relatively faint and diffuse, and were typically associated with very high peak currents and short time duration. A second storm, on July 4, 2000, had a much larger spatial extent and 27 sprites were observed between 04:00--07:00 UT in a wide range of shapes and time scales spanning 40--90 km altitude. These sprites were produced by 20--120 kA CG's, had complex optical signatures, and were frequently associated with observed ELF radiation. We hypothesize that relatively small storms mainly produce sprites in the form of diffuse glow whereas larger storms with higher cloud tops can initiate streamer discharges leading to more spectacular sprites.

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Abstract

Keywords
Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric electricity, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Lightning, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Mesospheric dynamics, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Instruments and techniques, Radio Science, Instruments and techniques
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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