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Detailed Reference Information
Moore et al. 2003
Moore, R.C., Barrington-Leigh, C.P., Inan, U.S. and Bell, T.F. (2003). Early/fast VLF events produced by electron density changes associated with sprite halos. Journal of Geophysical Research 108: doi: 10.1029/2002JA009816. issn: 0148-0227.

The magnitudes of scattered fields produced during early/fast very low frequency (VLF) events observed at 13 closely spaced (~65 km) sites are compared with those expected for sprite halo disturbances using a numerical model of wave propagation within the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. Three different early/fast events of varying magnitudes are analyzed using three different nighttime ambient lower ionospheric electron density profiles. The electron density disturbances associated with sprite-halo events are determined using a full-wave electromagnetic (FWEM) model. Observed scattered field amplitudes of typical (VLF amplitude changes of 0.2 dB 1 dB) are found to be within a factor of seven for peak currents of causative lightning based on NLDN. However, in previous studies, some sprite-producing lightning flashes have exhibited large slow-tail components, indicating substantial continuing currents and implying charge removal up to 2--3 times larger than that inferred from the peak current reported by NLDN. For the cases discussed in this paper, scattered field calculations using disturbances caused by 2--3 times larger charge removal are found to be within a factor of two of the measured values. VLF scattering from electron density changes associated with sprite halos thus appear to be the underlying cause of at least some of the VLF perturbations observed as early/fast events.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Ionosphere, Ionospheric disturbances, Ionosphere, Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions, Ionosphere, Ionospheric irregularities, Ionosphere, Wave propagation, Electromagnetics, Scattering and diffraction
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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