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Measurement of sprite streamer acceleration and deceleration

Publication ,  Journal Article
Li, J; Cummer, SA
Published in: Geophysical Research Letters
May 28, 2009

[1] Measurements of streamer velocity reflect the detailed internal microphysics of sprite development that is connected to the effects streamers create in the mesosphere. We report intensified high speed video observations of streamer development acquired at 5,000 to 10,000 frames per second that include the entire altitude range of sprites (∼40-90 km). Downward streamers accelerate to a maximum velocity 3-10% of the speed of light c and then immediately decelerate at an almost constant rate close to 1010 m/s2. This deceleration process dominates the downward streamer propagation in both time and distance. Measurements of the complete dynamics of sprite streamers from initiation to termination can give useful insight into their internal processes. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

DOI

ISSN

0094-8276

Publication Date

May 28, 2009

Volume

36

Issue

10

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
 

Citation

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Li, J., & Cummer, S. A. (2009). Measurement of sprite streamer acceleration and deceleration. Geophysical Research Letters, 36(10). https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL037581
Li, J., and S. A. Cummer. “Measurement of sprite streamer acceleration and deceleration.” Geophysical Research Letters 36, no. 10 (May 28, 2009). https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL037581.
Li J, Cummer SA. Measurement of sprite streamer acceleration and deceleration. Geophysical Research Letters. 2009 May 28;36(10).
Li, J., and S. A. Cummer. “Measurement of sprite streamer acceleration and deceleration.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 36, no. 10, May 2009. Scopus, doi:10.1029/2009GL037581.
Li J, Cummer SA. Measurement of sprite streamer acceleration and deceleration. Geophysical Research Letters. 2009 May 28;36(10).
Journal cover image

Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

DOI

ISSN

0094-8276

Publication Date

May 28, 2009

Volume

36

Issue

10

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences