Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2010 Investigating Characteristics of Lightning-Induced Transient Luminous Events Over South America Matthew A. Bailey Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Physics Commons Recommended Citation Bailey, Matthew A., "Investigating Characteristics of Lightning-Induced Transient Luminous Events Over South America" (2010). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 972. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/972 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INVESTIGATING CHARACTERISTICS OF LIGHTNING-INDUCED TRANSIENT LUMINOUS EVENTS OVER SOUTH AMERICA by Matthew A. Bailey A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Physics Approved: ___________________________ ___________________________ Michael J. Taylor Jan J. Sojka Major Professor Committee Member __________________________ ___________________________ Lawrence E. Hipps Bela G. Fejer Committee Member Committee Member __________________________ ___________________________ W. Farrell Edwards Byron R. Burnham Committee Member Dean of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2010 ii Copyright © Matthew A. Bailey 2010 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Investigating Characteristics of Lightning-Induced Transient Luminous Events over South America by Matthew A. Bailey, Doctor of Philosophy Utah State University, 2010 Major Professor: Dr. Michael J. Taylor Department: Physics Sprites, halos, and elves are members of a family of short-lived, luminous phenomena known as Transient Luminous Events (TLEs), which occur in the middle atmosphere. Sprites are vertical glows occurring at altitudes typically ranging from ~40 to 90 km. In video imagery they exhibit a red color at their top, with blue tendril-like structure at low altitudes. Elves are disk-like glows that occur at the base of the ionosphere, with diameters of ~100-300 km, and have very short lifetimes (~2-3 ms). Halos are diffuse glows that occur at low altitudes, have diameters <100 km, and have a duration that may last up to 10s of ms. A majority of the studies of TLEs have taken place over the Midwestern U.S. where they were first discovered. This area produces large thunderstorms, which in turn generate large lightning discharges that have been associated with the formation of TLEs. Studies have used the low frequency radiation that initiates with these strokes to study iv characteristics of these events. This low frequency radiation has been used to determine where large numbers of TLEs may occur. Extreme southern Brazil is a region of the globe believed to have many TLEs, but few studies on these phenomena. Two collaborative campaigns involving Utah State University proceeded in 2002- 2003, and in 2006. Multiple TLE images were made, proving this is, indeed, a region of the globe where these types of events are prominent. In particular, one storm in February 2003 produced over 440 TLEs imaged by USU video cameras. Of these events, over 100 of them had associated halos. Statistical studies for halos previously had been performed in the U.S., but never abroad. Also, several events from the February storm have been associated with negative cloud to ground lightning, a surprising occurrence, as to date, less than a handful of such events have ever been witnessed or published. In analyzing the TLEs from this campaign, we have shown the halos are similar to those seen in the U.S., even though the storms may be somewhat different. Also, detailed analyses of the negative events show both temporal and spatial morphology heretofore never reported on. (245 pages) v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In the game of baseball perfect games by a pitcher are extremely rare. In fact, only 18 pitchers have completed this remarkable feat in the history of Major League Baseball (as of 2009). Their names are immortalized in the history books. However, those pitchers were not alone on the baseball fields when they pitched their memorable games. There were shortstops, catchers, center fielders, etc., not to mention the coaches sitting in the dugout. There were also the little league, Pop-Warner, and high school coaches who helped that pitcher throughout the years. These people are not remembered by the masses, but they definitely had an influence on the outcome of those games. When writing a dissertation, it is a similar process. Although it is my name on the cover, I could not have done it alone. I would like to thank a few of those who helped me along the way. First and foremost, I must thank my advisor, Michael Taylor. He took me on as a graduate research student, and immediately started me with data analysis, traveling to different parts of the world on field campaigns, presenting at scientific conferences, and generally letting me feel my way into the scientific community. He has been extremely patient, gracious, and kind toward me, helping me to find my own path. He has done everything in his power to help me. I will be forever grateful. Secondly, I am grateful to Dominique Pautet. “The Boss” is a master at resolving computer and software issues, has a keen understanding of data analysis, and is not bad company on a field campaign. vi I also thank YuCheng Zhao, and Visjna Taylor. They were always behind the scenes fixing software issues, helping me with data analysis, and facilitating the research that I needed to finish this dissertation. I will always count them as great friends. I need to thank my collaborators throughout the globe. In particular, I wish to thank Dr. Steven Cummer at Duke University, Jeremy Thomas, formerly of the University of Washington, and Walt Lyons, of FMA research in Fort Collins, CO. My research would not have been as successful without the coordination of data and collaboration with these colleagues. They have always been gracious in answering my questions, and still help me to learn more about this area of research. I would also like to acknowledge my Brazilian colleagues, both at INPE and at the University of Santa Maria, for providing logistical support for this study. This research was supported under NSF grants ATM 0355190 and ATM 0221968. I also send my thanks to the physics department at Utah State University. I am grateful for the classes, the discussions, the knowledge, and the friendship. I was given many opportunities to teach and learn there for which I will always be grateful. I wish to particularly mention the “physics ladies”: Deborah, Karalee, Shelley, Sharon, Shawna, and Melanie. You were always so willing in helping me with whatever I needed. Lastly, I wish to thank my family. My wife and parents have always been so supportive of my studies, even when it seemed as if I would be in school forever. My wife, Heather, has sacrificed so much allowing me the opportunity to continue my education, and I just want to say that I am thankful, and I love you. Matthew Bailey vii CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………...…. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS………..……………………………….…………………….. v LIST OF TABLES…………………...………………………………………………… ix LIST OF FIGURES……………….…………………………………………………….. x CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………… 1 1.1. Preface ……………………………………………………………….... 2 1.2. The Earth’s Atmosphere………………………………………………… 5 1.3. Thunderstorms and Lightning….……………………………………… 10 1.4. Early TLE Observations……………………………………………...... 18 1.5. Summary………………………………………………………………... 33 1.6. Objectives of This Study……………………………………………...... 34 1.7. Content of This Dissertation……………………………………………. 36 1.8. Epigraphs………………………………………………………………. 37 II. TLE THEORY……………………………………………………………….… 38 2.1. Introduction…………………………………………………................. 39 2.2. Lightning-Driven Electric Fields……………………………………….. 39 2.3. Sprite Models…………………………………………………………... 44 2.4. Elve Theories…………………………………………………………... 49 2.5. Halo Theories………………………………………………………….. 51 2.6. Blue Jet Theories………………………………………………………. 54 2.7. VLF/ELF Monitoring and Charge Moments………………….…..…… 55 2.8. Summary……………………………………………………………….. 57 III. BRAZIL 1 CAMPAIGN………………………………………...…………….. 61 3.1. Introduction…………………………………………………............... 62 3.2. Instrumentation……………………………………………………….. 67 3.3. First Sprite Observations…..………………………………………….. 73 3.4. Phase 2 Sprite Measurements ……………………………………….... 77 3.5. Results………………………………………………………………..... 78 3.6. Brazil 1 Campaign Summary..……………………………………….... 83 viii IV. BRAZIL 2 CAMPAIGN…………………………...…………………………. 85 4.1. Introduction……………………………………………………………. 86 4.2. Instrumentation……………………………………………………….... 88 4.3. Storm 1………………………………………………………………… 94 4.4. Storm 2…………………………………………………………..…….. 101 4.5. Summary………………………………………..…………………….. 103 V. HALO STUDY…………………………...……..……………………….…... 106 5.1. Introduction……………………..…………………………................ 107 5.2. South American Halo Data………..…….…………………………… 111 5.3. Halo Analysis Method..………………………………………………. 112 5.4. Halo and Storm Comparison. ………………………………………... 115 5.5. Halo Statistical Results……………..………………………………... 120 5.6. Summary……..…………….……………………..…………………... 124 VI. INVESTIGATING NEGATIVE CG EVENTS……………...………………. 126 6.1. Introduction…………………………………………………………... 127 6.2. The First Negative Event..………………………………………….... 130 6.3. Other Negative Events……………………………………………….