D Region Electron Density Derived From Sprite Observations. Issue 2 (17th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stenbaek‐Nielsen, H. C.; Liu, N. Y.; McHarg, M. G.; Harley, J.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 50:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-01-17
• Subjects: sprites -- trans luminous events -- sprite streamers; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1029/2022GL101575
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Four upward propagating streamers in two carrot sprites over northwest Texas were recorded at 100, 000 frames per second at 07:46:35 UT, 2 June 2019, from the Langmuir Laboratory near Socorro, New Mexico. The streamers reached velocities of 50–80 × 10 6 m/s with accelerations up to 25 × 10 10 m/s/s. The upward motion ended with the top of the streamers near 90 km altitude. At this time, the streamers reached maximum brightness. The streamer head then dissolved and the brightness decayed exponentially with time constants between 0.078 and 0.097 ms. We interpret the dissolution and decay to be the result of interaction with the bottom of the ionosphere. Assuming the decay to be dictated by electric field relaxation, the ambient D region electron density would be 10 7 to 10 8 m −3 . The analysis suggests that sprite observations can provide multipoint measurements of the D region ionosphere impacted by powerful lightning capable of triggering sprites. Plain Language Summary: Sprites have been recorded at 100, 000 frames per second. Analysis of the decay of upward propagating streamer brightness indicates that the observations may be used to infer the ambient electron densities in the D region ionosphere impacted by powerful lightning capable of triggering sprites. Key Points: Upward propagating streamers in sprites were recorded at 100, 000 frames per second The streamer head brightness decay is exponential; assuming it is due to electric field relaxation the ambient D region electron density can be derived Analysis suggests that sprites can provide multipoint measurements of D region impact by powerful lightning capable of triggering sprites