A beginning investigation into the possible role of cosmic rays in the initiation of lightning discharges at the Pierre Auger Observatory

作者：Brown W C^*; Dywer J R; Huangs A; Krehbiel P R; Rison W; Thomas R J; Edens H; Niemitz L; Rautenberg J

来源：European Physical Journal Plus, 2012, 127(8): 95.

DOI：10.1140/epjp/i2012-12095-9

The means by which lightning is initiated inside storms is not yet understood and remains a primary unsolved problem in advancing our understanding of lightning. Due to the inconsistency between the estimated required and measured field strengths in thunderclouds, an increasing amount of research has focused on energetic electron/particle runaway processes as the basic initiating mechanism. An important class of these ideas and models is that the seed energetic electrons for runaway processes are provided by energetic cosmic rays. However, as yet there is little experimental or observational evidence to support or refute this idea. Consequently, we are beginning with a Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) in conjunction with the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. The goal is to determine if discharges are initiated when high energy cosmic ray air showers pass through electrified storms. The planned instrumentation will combine the Pierre Auger Observatory with the LMA. The later will include stations placed to span the observatory to accurately measure the arrival times of impulsive VHF radiation events. These data will provide detailed 3-dimensional pictures of individual lightning discharges inside storms, The approach of the proposed study is to identify air showers that pass through electrified storms and to look for temporal and spatial correlations with lightning in the storms, paying particular attention to the initial stages of the lightning. The study will be conducted for at least several years to assess fully the possible effects of cosmic rays in initiating lightning.

• 出版日期2012-8