Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
8mo ago

Tropical Thunderstorms Reveal Unexpected Gamma-Ray Activity

Recent studies using NASA's ER-2 aircraft uncover diverse and frequent gamma-ray emissions in storm clouds, challenging previous assumptions.

An artist's impression of the NASA research plane flying over thunderstorm systems to detect gamma ray emissions
Image
NASA’s high-flying ER-2 airplane carries instrumentation in this artist’s impression of the Airborne Lightning Observatory for Fly’s Eye Geostationary Lightning Mapper Simulator and Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (ALOFT) mission to record gamma rays (colored purple for illustration) from thunderclouds. Image credit: NASA / ALOFT team.

Overview

  • NASA's ER-2 aircraft detected gamma-ray emissions in nine out of ten flights over tropical storms, indicating these occurrences are more common than previously thought.
  • Scientists identified new forms of gamma-ray emissions, including flickering gamma-ray flashes, which may play a role in lightning formation.
  • Gamma-ray glows, lasting from seconds to minutes, were observed over large areas, contradicting earlier findings of their rarity and uniformity.
  • Two previously unrecorded types of gamma-ray bursts were discovered, adding complexity to the understanding of storm-related radiation.
  • The findings suggest a potential link between gamma-ray emissions and the initiation of lightning, offering new insights into storm cloud dynamics.