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LOFAR lightning imaging: Mapping lightning with nanosecond precision

Authors :
Hare, B.M.
Scholten, O. (Olaf)
Bonardi, A.
Buitink, S.
Corstanje, A.
Ebert, U. (Ute)
Falcke, H.
Hörandel, J.R. (Jörg)
Leijnse, H.
Mitra, P.
Mulrey, K.
Nelles, A.
Rachen, J.P.
Rossetto, L.
Rutjes, C. (Casper)
Schellart, P.
Thoudam, S.
Trinh, T.N.G. (Gia)
Veen, S. (Sander) ter
Winchen, T.
Hare, B.M.
Scholten, O. (Olaf)
Bonardi, A.
Buitink, S.
Corstanje, A.
Ebert, U. (Ute)
Falcke, H.
Hörandel, J.R. (Jörg)
Leijnse, H.
Mitra, P.
Mulrey, K.
Nelles, A.
Rachen, J.P.
Rossetto, L.
Rutjes, C. (Casper)
Schellart, P.
Thoudam, S.
Trinh, T.N.G. (Gia)
Veen, S. (Sander) ter
Winchen, T.
Source :
Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

Lightning mapping technology has proven instrumental in understanding lightning. In this work we present a pipeline that can use lightning observed by the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR) radio telescope to construct a 3D map of the flash. We show that LOFAR has unparalleled precision, on the order of meters, even for lightning flashes that are over 20 km outside the area enclosed by LOFAR antennas (∼3,200 km2), and can potentially locate over 10,000 sources per lightning flash. We also show that LOFAR is the first lightning mapping system that is sensitive to the spatial structure of the electrical current during individual lightning leader steps.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Journal :
Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres
Notes :
application/pdf, English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1251877316
Document Type :
Electronic Resource
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002.2017JD028132