Found the key to complete the models of the "sprites" in the upper atmosphere
IAA scientists have found the reason why sometimes these flashes occur with some delay with respect to the lightning that triggers
IAA scientists have found the reason why sometimes these flashes occur with some delay with respect to the lightning that triggers
13/11/2011
This figure shows different types of TLE. Some of them where taken from El sueño de una noche de verano, by William Shakespeare, in reference to their misterious nature.
Temporary sequence of begining and development of a sprite, where the complexity of this phenomenon can be appreciated. Source: H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen and M.G. McHarg, Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics 41 (2008) 234009.
Reference:
A. Luque, F.J. Gordillo-Vázquez. Mesospheric electric breakdown and delayed sprite ignition caused by electron detachment. Nature Geoscience.
INVESTIGACIÓN DEL TLEs EN EL IAA
The Andalusian Insitute of Astrophysics has, as part of its staff, with the Group of Transient Plasmas in Planetary Atmospheres, (www.trappa.iaa.es) lead by Francisco J. Gordillo. They study Transient Luminous Events (TLE).
More info:
Alejandro Luque, aluque[arroba]iaa.es 622233836
Press release:
