Modeling the relaxation of red sprite plasma

Nunn, David; Rodger, Craig J.. 1999 Modeling the relaxation of red sprite plasma. Geophysical Research Letters, 26 (21). 3293-3296. https://doi.org/10.1029/1999GL003578

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Abstract/Summary

Red sprites consist of multiple ionised columns extending above a thunderstorm from ∼30 km to ∼90 km. Electron densities in these columns are very much larger than the ambient background, perhaps fives orders of magnitude at 70 km. These highly ionized structures cause observable perturbations in subionospheric VLF transmissions known as “VLF Sprites”. Three models of initial sprite electron density are considered, and using a realistic ionization relaxation model the time dependence of electron density is derived. A 3-D Born propagation code of is used to compute the time profile of a VLF sprite. Two profiles show good agreement with the time signature experimentally observed, in that scattered amplitude and phase decrease logarithmically with time. These simulations provide insight into the nature and structure of sprite columns, and indicate an additional constraint which should be applied to red sprite creation models.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1029/1999GL003578
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Pre 2000 programme
ISSN:	00948276
Date made live:	22 Oct 2013 10:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/503604

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