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Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have found that cosmic rays play a key role in generating lightning. The work is published in the journal JGR Atmospheres.
Using a unique 3D radio frequency mapping technology, scientists have observed that lightning begins with a rapid positive discharge. This is unexpectedly followed by an even faster negative discharge.
Lightning is usually caused by the separation of positive and negative charges in clouds. However, scientists have found that the discharges not only follow the electrical field of a thunderstorm, but also deflect to the side. This has led researchers to believe that another factor is involved in the triggering of lightning.
This factor turned out to be cosmic rays — high-energy particles from space. They generate electrons and positrons, which further ionize the air. This creates paths for the discharges. These particles move in different directions under the influence of the Earth's magnetic field and the electric field of the thunderstorm. This explains the unusual orientation of the discharges.
The study was conducted using the latest BIMAP-3D system developed at Los Alamos. It allows you to create 3D maps of lightning and determine the direction of electrical discharge inside clouds.
The discovery not only expands our understanding of the nature of lightning, but also has national security implications. Lightning emits signals similar to those produced by nuclear explosions. Lightning research helps improve monitoring systems and distinguish between natural and man-made events.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have found that cosmic rays play a key role in generating lightning. The work is published in the journal JGR Atmospheres.
Using a unique 3D radio frequency mapping technology, scientists have observed that lightning begins with a rapid positive discharge. This is unexpectedly followed by an even faster negative discharge.
Lightning is usually caused by the separation of positive and negative charges in clouds. However, scientists have found that the discharges not only follow the electrical field of a thunderstorm, but also deflect to the side. This has led researchers to believe that another factor is involved in the triggering of lightning.
This factor turned out to be cosmic rays — high-energy particles from space. They generate electrons and positrons, which further ionize the air. This creates paths for the discharges. These particles move in different directions under the influence of the Earth's magnetic field and the electric field of the thunderstorm. This explains the unusual orientation of the discharges.
The study was conducted using the latest BIMAP-3D system developed at Los Alamos. It allows you to create 3D maps of lightning and determine the direction of electrical discharge inside clouds.
The discovery not only expands our understanding of the nature of lightning, but also has national security implications. Lightning emits signals similar to those produced by nuclear explosions. Lightning research helps improve monitoring systems and distinguish between natural and man-made events.
