2008 Workshop:Lightning Effects on the Upper Atmosphere

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Lightning Effects on the Upper Atmosphere

1 Lightning Effects on the Upper Atmosphere

Location

Interlaken

Date/Time

1600-1800 Friday 20 June 2008

Conveners

Format of the Workshop

Scheduled short presentations including invited talks/tutorials and contributed talks

Duration

2 hours (default)

Estimated attendance

30-40

Conflicts with other workshops

1) Workshop on Lower-Upper Atmosphere Coupling (Mike Taylor convenes); 2) If possible, other "ionosphere" workshops

Special technology requests

1) Computer projector; 2) Overhead projector

Forum

Comments, Questions, Discussion Forum

Brief Initial Description

This workshop will focus on the effects of lightning discharges on the mesospheric and lower ionospheric regions. Results from observational, theoretical and modeling studies regarding the energetic coupling of lightning with the upper atmosphere will be presented. Of particular interest are contributions on thermal, chemical and electrical effects of lightning on the upper atmosphere. Electromagnetic energy provided by lightning discharges in these regions is converted to other forms of energy though heating of ambient electrons. Excitation, dissociation and ionization of neutral molecules during this process modifies the atmospheric environment. Transient luminous events (TLEs-sprites, sprite halos, jets, elves) are a direct manifestation of this modification. New results from experimental and theoretical studies of these phenomena and their related effects will be discussed. New techniques and advances in remote sensing of the upper atmosphere with lightning will also be examined. The workshop will consist of the following presentations:

"Mechanism of infrasound radiation from sprites" by Victor P. Pasko and Jonathan B. Snively
"Real-time detection of sprite-producing storms using RF techniques" by Walter Lyons
"Modeling studies of atmospheric conductivity and thunder-cloud charge imbalance effects on development of blue jet and gigantic jet discharges" by Jeremy Riousset
"Triangulated C-sprite and inferred sprite initiation altitude" by Hans Nielsen
"Quantifying positive and negative sprite-halo characteristics over Northern Argentina" by Matthew Bailey
"Energetic electrons accompanying terrestrial gamma-ray flashes" by Nikolai Lehtinen
+ Possible Additional Presentations

Students are strongly encouraged to contribute to this workshop. Anyone interested in giving a contributed talk should email the conveners at the email addresses listed above.