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Genesis of column sprites: formation mechanisms and optical structures

Abstract

Sprite discharges are electrical discharges that initiate from the lower ionosphere during intense lightning storms, manifesting themselves optically as flashes of light that last a few milliseconds. This study unravels sprite initiation mechanisms and evolution into distinctive morphologies like glows and beads, using direct 3D numerical simulations that capture the intricate electrical discharge processes. We clarify various morphological aspects of sprites such as the halo dynamics, column glows, branching, streamer reconnection, and bead formation. The results advance our understanding of sprites and their connection to thunderstorm dynamics, and puts quantitative analysis of their effect on Earth's climate within reach.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Energy Research / Elkraftteknologi

Year

2024

Published in

Plasma Sources Science & Technology

ISSN

0963-0252

Volume

33

Issue

2

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository