Global Distribution of Key Features of Streamer Corona Discharges in Thunderclouds. Issue 24 (23rd December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soler, S.; Gordillo‐Vázquez, F. J.; Pérez‐Invernón, F. J.; Luque, A.; Li, D.; Neubert, T.; Chanrion, O.; Reglero, V.; Navarro‐González, J.; Østgaard, N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 127:Issue 24(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-12-23
• Subjects: corona discharges in thunderclouds -- lightning -- remote sensing -- ASIM; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1029/2022JD037535
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-897X

Abstract

Abstract: We present nighttime worldwide distributions of key features of Blue LUminous Events (BLUEs) detected by the Modular Multispectral Imaging Array of the Atmosphere‐Space Interaction Monitor. Around 10% of all detected BLUEs exhibit an impulsive single pulse shape. The rest of BLUEs are unclear (impulsive or not) single, multiple or with ambiguous pulse shapes. BLUEs exhibit two distinct populations with peak power density <25 µWm −2 (common) and ≥25 µWm −2 (rare) with different rise times and durations. The altitude (and depth below cloud tops) zonal distribution of impulsive single pulse BLUEs indicate that they are commonly present between cloud tops and a depth of ≤4 km in the tropics and ≤1 km in mid and higher latitudes. Impulsive single pulse BLUEs in the tropics are the longest (up to ∼4 km height) and have the largest number of streamers (up to ∼3 × 10 9 ). Additionally, the analysis of BLUEs has turned out to be particularly complex due to the abundance of radiation belt particles (at high latitudes and in the South Atlantic Anomaly [SAA]) and cosmic rays all over the planet. True BLUEs can not be fully distinguished from radiation belt particles and cosmic rays unless other ground‐based measurements associated with the optically detected BLUEs are available. Thus, the search algorithm of BLUEs presented in Soler et al. (2021), https://doi.org/10.1029/2021gl094657 is now completed with a new additional step that, if used, can considerably smooth the SAA shadow but can also underestimate the number of BLUEs worldwide. Plain Language Summary: The presence of corona electrical discharges in thunderclouds has been suspected for a long time. These thunderstorm coronas can be observed as Blue LUminous Events (BLUEs) formed by a large number of streamers characterized by their distinct 337 nm light flashes with absent (or negligible) 777.4 nm component (typical of lightning leaders). The Modular Multispectral Imaging Array of the Atmosphere‐Space Interaction Monitor has successfully allowed us to map and characterize BLUEs. The results presented here include a global analysis of key properties of BLUEs such as their characteristic rise times and duration, their depth with respect to cloud tops, vertical length and number of streamers. This study also includes two different global annual average climatologies of BLUEs depending on considerations about the rise time and total duration of BLUEs worldwide. Key Points: BLUEs are found between ∼1 and ∼4 km below cloud tops in the tropics and ≤1 km in mid and higher latitudes Two distinct populations of BLUEs with peak power density <25 μWm −2 (common) and ≥25 μWm −2 (rare) are observed Fast rise time (<0.05 ms) BLUEs occur very superficially (<1 km) near cloud tops with high power density ≥100 μWm −2