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Television image of a large upward electrical discharge above a thunderstorm systemA low light-level TV camera is used to obtain an unusual image of luminous electrical discharge over a thunderstorm 250 km from the observation site. The image is presented and the discharge in the image is described. It is suggested that the image is probably due to two localized electric charge concentrations at the cloud tops. The hazard of these discharges for aircraft and rocket launches is examined. Consideration is given to the possibility that these discharges may account for unexplained photometric observations of distant lightning events that show a low rise rate of the luminous pulse and no electromagnetic sferic pulse like that in cloud-to-earth lightning strokes. The photometric events of this type that occurred on September 22-23, 1989 during hurricane Hugo are noted.
Document ID
19900053222
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Franz, R. C.
(Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN, United States)
Nemzek, R. J.
(Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN, United States)
Winckler, J. R.
(Minnesota, University Minneapolis, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
July 6, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 249
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
90A40277
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-5088
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-5373
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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