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Electrical Characteristics of Simulated Tornadoes and Dust DevilsIt is well known that tornadoes and dust devils have the ability to accumulate significant, visible clouds of debris. Collisions between sand-like debris species produce different electric charges on different types of grains, which convect along different trajectories around the vortex. Thus, significant charge separations and electric currents are possible, which as the vortex fluctuates over time are thought to produce ULF radiation signatures that have been measured in the field. These electric and magnetic fields may contain valuable information about tornado structure and genesis, and may be critical in driving electrochemical processes within dust devils on Mars. In the present work, existing large eddy simulations of debris-laden tornadoes performed at West Virginia University are coupled with a new debris-charging and advection code developed at Goddard Space Flight Center to investigate the detailed (meter-resolution) fluid-dynamic origins of electromagnetic fields within terrestrial vortices. First results are presented, including simulations of the electric and magnetic fields that would be observed by a near-surface, instrument-laden probe during a direct encounter with a tornado.
Document ID
20120016311
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Zimmerman, Michael I.
(Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc. Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Farrell, William M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Barth, E. L.
Lewellen, W. S.
Perlongo, N. J.
Jackson, T. L.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2012
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.ABS.7432.2012
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: December 3, 2012
End Date: December 7, 2012
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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