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Lightning charge moment changes for the initiation of sprites

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hu, W; Cummer, SA; Lyons, WA; Nelson, TE
Published in: Geophysical Research Letters
April 15, 2002

The transient ELF (~50-5000 Hz) magnetic field radiated by lightning discharges across North America was continously measured at Duke University during the summer of 2000. In total, 881 sprite-associated lightning discharge over 17 days were analyzed. We report in detail on 76 sprites for which we could reliably determine the lightning charge moment change from the ELF data at the time of sprite onset. The charge moment change for the initiation of a sprite is found to be as low as 120 C km. By folding together the charge moment distributions of sprite-producing lightning and all positive lightning, we find that the probability of sprite generation for lightning with >1000 C km charge moment change in <6 ms is >90%, while the sprite probability for lightning with <600 C km charge moment change in <6 ms is <10%.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

ISSN

0094-8276

Publication Date

April 15, 2002

Volume

29

Issue

8

Start / End Page

120-1-120-4

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
 

Citation

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MLA
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Hu, W., Cummer, S. A., Lyons, W. A., & Nelson, T. E. (2002). Lightning charge moment changes for the initiation of sprites. Geophysical Research Letters, 29(8), 120-1-120–124.
Hu, W., S. A. Cummer, W. A. Lyons, and T. E. Nelson. “Lightning charge moment changes for the initiation of sprites.” Geophysical Research Letters 29, no. 8 (April 15, 2002): 120-1-120–24.
Hu W, Cummer SA, Lyons WA, Nelson TE. Lightning charge moment changes for the initiation of sprites. Geophysical Research Letters. 2002 Apr 15;29(8):120-1-120–4.
Hu, W., et al. “Lightning charge moment changes for the initiation of sprites.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 29, no. 8, Apr. 2002, pp. 120-1-120–24.
Hu W, Cummer SA, Lyons WA, Nelson TE. Lightning charge moment changes for the initiation of sprites. Geophysical Research Letters. 2002 Apr 15;29(8):120-1-120–4.
Journal cover image

Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

ISSN

0094-8276

Publication Date

April 15, 2002

Volume

29

Issue

8

Start / End Page

120-1-120-4

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences