HR: 1340h
AN: AE23A-0990    [Abstracts]
TI: NOx Production in Simulated Blue Jets, Sprites, and TLE Discharges
AU: * Peterson, H
EM: haroldp@dri.edu
AF: Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512 United States
AU: Bailey, M
EM: matt.bailey@dri.edu
AF: Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512 United States
AU: Hallett, J
EM: john.hallett@dri.edu
AF: Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512 United States
AU: Beasley, W
EM: whb@ou.edu
AF: School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019 United States
AB: Stratospheric and upwards directed electrical discharges, collectively referred to as transient luminous events (TLE's), are currently receiving much attention. Aircraft measurements above thunderstorms in addition to satellite measurements of the stratosphere have revealed anomalously high NOx levels near thunderstorm complexes, levels which are not apparently explained by normal lightning production or diffusion through the troposphere from natural or anthropogenic sources. New laboratory discharge experiments under stratospheric pressure conditions, simulating altitudes of 20-70 km, have revealed surprisingly high NOx production levels. These measurements appear to indicate that NOx production by jets, sprites and other TLE phenomena is significant with respect to the NOx and ozone chemistry of the upper atmosphere.
DE: 3324 Lightning
SC: Atmospheric and Space Electricity [AE]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005