EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Dwyer et al. 2004
Dwyer, J.R., Rassoul, H.K., Al-Dayeh, M., Caraway, L., Wright, B., Chrest, A., Uman, M.A., Rakov, V.A., Rambo, K.J., Jordan, D.M., Jerauld, J. and Smyth, C. (2004). Measurements of x-ray emission from rocket-triggered lightning. Geophysical Research Letters 31: doi: 10.1029/2003GL018770. issn: 0094-8276.

We report measurements of the x-ray emission from rocket-triggered lightning, made during the summer of 2003, using four instruments placed between 15 and 40 m from the lightning channels. X-rays were measured 0--80 ¿s just prior to and at the beginning of 73% of the 26 return strokes observed. The emission was composed of multiple, very brief bursts of x-rays in the 30--250 keV range, with each burst typically lasting less than 1 ¿s. The x-rays were primarily observed to be spatially and temporally associated with the dart leaders with a possible contribution from the beginning of the return strokes, with the most intense x-ray bursts coming from the part of the lightning channel within ~50 m of the ground. Because triggered lightning strokes are similar to subsequent strokes in natural lightning, it is likely that x-ray emission is a common property of natural lightning.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric electricity, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Lightning, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Radiative processes, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Instruments and techniques
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit