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Cosmic Rays Could Reveal Secrets of Lightning On Earth
sciencehabit writes: Despite Benjamin Franklin's best efforts with a kite and a key, the phenomenon of lightning remains a scientific enigma. Now, researchers have developed a new tool that could help them solve some of lightning's mysteries. By using cosmic rays, space-traveling particles that constantly rain down on our atmosphere, scientists report they can peek inside thunderstorms and measure their electric fields, helping them pinpoint the conditions that cause storms' electrical outbursts. The advance could help researchers predict more precisely when and where lightning is most likely to strike and get people out of harm's way in time.
Shortsighted. The long term goal is of course a weather modification net that can moderate severe weather, distribute rain to make up for global warming and ease drought conditions, etc. In order to do that you have to fully understand weather. You don't just need to know enough to go in out of the rain. You need to understand causes in order to be able to produce / reduce / redirect, etc. weather.
I thought cosmic rays trigger lightning.
Nope, cosmic rays created The Fantastic Four and many more: http://marvel.wikia.com/Catego...
Also a toon named Cosmic Ray: http://www.comicvine.com/cosmi...
Didn't seem to find any DC toons who's superpowers came from cosmic rays. I didn't look very hard though.
Be seeing you...
Seriously, have we degenerated as a culture to the point where we need scientists telling people to stay inside during a thunderstorm?
Apparently so. And again, and again and again.
We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Hardly. The field strength between thunder clouds and the earth alone is not enough for lightning.
Yes there are a million volts present. No that is not enough to arc over 1,5 km (1 mile) (distance bottom of an average thunder cloud to the ground). It is approximately enough for 100 meters (1/15th of the required distance) according to the 1 kV/cm rule of thumb.
Current theory states that high speed cosmic particles ionize the air so the lightning can arc.
Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.
Provided that Lightning never strikes (the same place) twice, just keep statistics and you'll know at least when it won't strike again.
Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
Then explain lightning from the ground-up? I'll include the following quote form nssl.noaa.gov
Life is not for the lazy.
You can call down lightning. I wouldn't suggest it, but I know it can be done. The trick is _safely_ triggering the launch without getting fried.
Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
Current theory states that high speed cosmic particles ionize the air so the lightning can arc.
Seems plausible. The Pacific DC Intertie operates at 1 MV line to line (500 kV line to ground). This is a greater field strength than cloud to ground lightning, but it doesn't flash over (nearly as often). So lightning must depend on some property or phenomena that occurs at higher altitudes, but not at or near ground level.
P.S. Extra points for that 'current theory' pun.
Have gnu, will travel.
Here is a presentation by Pim Schellaert (referenced in the article) with some more information:
http://www.lofar.org/wiki/lib/...
I've seen a presentation of their more recent results, but that doesn't seem to be public yet, I can't find a link.
One of the coolest things we did recently with the LOFAR telescope was to observe the Solar Eclipse in real time, I think it has never been done with a radio telescope before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
In general you can find a lot of info about what we're doing with the LOFAR telescope here:
http://www.astron.nl/dailyimag...
and here: http://www.lofar.org/wiki/doku...
RogerWilco the Adventurous Janitor