NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Solar modulation of atmospheric electrification through variation of the conductivity over thunderstormsIt is suggested that variations of the current in the global atmospheric electrical circuit can be produced through regulation of the resistance between the tops of thunderclouds and the ionosphere. Long- and short-term changes in the conductivity of this region occur due to changes in the ionization rate resulting from solar activity. Previous suggestions that the phenomena might be due to conductivity variations in the fair weather part of the world or an influx of space charge to the upper atmosphere are discussed and considered unlikely. It might be possible to test the proposed mechanism by measuring the temporal variation of the ionospheric potential during distributed solar periods. Another approach would be to measure simultaneously the variation in ionization rate and electric current over thunderstorms. Several ways in which changes in atmospheric electrification might influence other meteorological phenomena are mentioned.
Document ID
19760007459
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Markson, R.
(State Univ. of New York Stony Brook, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1975
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center Possible Relationships between Solar Activity and Meteorol. Phenomena
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
76N14547
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available