Abstract
Lightning detection by optical means from satellites provides a globally uniform observation of lightning. Prototypes of optical detectors have been operated by NASA on low orbit satellites for more than 10 years. For the next generation of geostationary satellites optical lightning location sensors are planned. This contribution gives an overview of the principles of optical detection of lightning from satellites and a description of the existing systems. The specifics of the data from space based sensors are discussed and the scientific results which were achieved so far are presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Betz HD, Schmidt K, Oettinger WP, Wirz M (2004) Lightning detection with 3D-Discrimination of intracloud and cloud-to-ground discharges. Geophys Res Lett 31:11108, doi:10.1029/2004GL019,821
Blyth A, Jr HC, Driscoll K, Gadian A, Latham J (2001) Determination of ice precipitation rates and thunderstorm anvil ice contents from satellite observations of lightning. Atmos Res 59–60:217–229
Boccippio DJ, Cummins KL, Christian HJ, Goodman SJ (2001) Combined satellite- and surface-based estimation of the intracloud-cloud-to-ground lightning ratio over the continental United States. Mon Weather Rev 129:108–122
Boccippio DJ, Koshak WJ, Blakeslee RJ (2002) Performance assessment of the optical transient detector and lightning imaging sensor. Part I: Predicted diurnal variability. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 19:1318–1332
Boccippio DJ, Petersen WA, Cecil DJ (2005) The tropical convective spectrum. Part I: Archetypal vertical structures. J Climate 18:2744–2769, doi: 10.1175/JCLI3335.1
Christian HJ, Goodman SJ (1987) Optical observations of lightning from a high-altitude airplane. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 4:701–711
Christian HJ, Blakeslee RJ, Goodman SJ (1989) The detection of lightning from geostationary orbit. J Geophys Res 94:13329–13337
Christian HJ, Blakeslee RJ, Goodman SJ, Mach DA, Stewart MF, Buechler DE, Koshak WJ, Hall JM, Boeck WL, Driscoll KT, Bocippio DJ (1999) The Lightning Imaging Sensor. In: 11th International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity, June 7–11, Guntersville, Alabama, pp 746–749
Christian HJ, Blakeslee RJ, Goodman SJ, Mach DM (2000) Algorithm theoretical basis document (ATBD) for the lightning imaging sensor (LIS). Tech. rep., NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, 53 pp
Christian HJ, Blakeslee RJ, Boccippio DJ, Boeck WL, Buechler DE, Driscoll KT, Goodman SJ, Hall JM, Koshak WJ, Mach DM, Stewart MF (2003) Global frequency and distribution of lightning as observed from space by the optical transient detector. J Geophys Res 108:4005, doi:10.1029/2002JD002,347
Davis MH, Brook M, Christian H, Heikes BG, Park CG, Roble RG, Vonnegut B, Orville R (1983) Some scientific objectives of a satellite-borne lightning mapper. Bull Amer Meteor Soc64:114–119
Deierling W, Petersen WA, Latham J, Ellis S, Christian HJ (2008) The relationship between lightning activity and ice fluxes in thunderstorms. J Geophys Res 113:D15210, doi:10.1029/2007JD009700
Finke U (2007) Statistics of the optical lightning radiation source derived from satellite observations. In: AGU – Fall Meeting 2007, Dec, 10–14, 2007, San-Francisco, CA, eos. Trans. AGU, 88(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract AE41A-01
Goodman SJ, Christian HC, Rust VWD (1988) Optical pulse characteristics of intracloud and cloud-to-ground lightning observed from above clouds. J Appl Meteor27:1369–1381
Goodman SJ, Christian HJ (1993) Global observations of lightning. In: Gurney RJ, Foster JL, Parkinson CL (eds) Atlas of satellite observations related to global change, Cambridge University Press, pp 191–219
Guo C, Krider EP (1982) The optical and radiation field signatures produced by lightning return strokes. J Geophys Res 87:8913–8922
Huntrieser H, Schumann U, Schlager H, Hoeller H, Giez A, Betz HD, Brunner D, Forster C, Pinto O Jr, Calheiros R (2008) Lightning activity in Brazilian thunderstorms during TROCCINOX: implications for NOx production. Atmos Chem Phys 8:921–953
Jacobson AR, Cummins KL, Carter M, Klingner P, Roussel-Dupre D, Knox SO (2000) FORTE radio-frequency observations of lightning strokes detected by the National Lightning Detection Network. J Geophys Res 105:15653–15662
Kirkland MW, Suszcynsky DM, Guillen JLL, Green JL (2001) Optical observations of terrestrial lightning by the FORTE photodiode detector. J Geophys Res 106:33499–33509
Koshak WJ, Solakiewicz RJ, Phanord DD, Blakeslee RJ (1994) Diffusion model for lightning radiative transfer. J Geophys Res 99:14361–14371
Krider EP, Guo C (1983) The peak electromagnetic power radiated by lightning return strokes. J Geophys Res 88:38471–38474
Kummerow C, Barnes W, Kozu T, Shiue J, Simpson J (1998) The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) sensor package. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 15:809–817
Light TE, Suszcynsky DM, Kirkland MW, Jacobson AR (2001) Simulations of lightning optical waveforms as seen through clouds by satellites. J Geophys Res 106:17103–17114
Mach DM, Blakeslee RJ, Bailey JC, Farrell WM, Goldberg RA, Desch MD, Houser JG (2005) Lightning optical pulse statistics from storm overflights during the Altus Cumulus Electrification Study. Atmos Res 76:386–401
Orville RE, Spengler DW (1979) Global lightning flash frequency. Mon Weather Rev 107:934–943
Orville RE, Henderson RW (1984) Absolute spectral irradiance measurements of lightning from 375 to 880 nm. J Atmos Sci 41:3180–3187
Orville RE, Henderson RW (1986) Global distribution of midnight lightning: September 1977 to August 1978. Mon Weather Rev 114:2640–2653
Petersen W, Christian HJ, Rutledge S (2005) TRMM observations of the global relationship between ice water content and lightning. Geophys Res Lett 32:L14819, doi:10.1029/ 2005GL023236
Rakov VA, Uman MA (2003) Lightning – Physics and Effects. Cambridge University Press, 687 pp
Schmidt K, Betz HD, Oettinger WP, Wirz M, Pinto O Jr, Naccarato KP, Hoeller H, Fehr T, Held G (2005) A comparative analysis of lightning data during the EU-Brazil TROCCINOX / TroCCiBras campaign. In: VIII International Symposium on Lightning Protection (SIPDA), November 2005, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Suszcynsky DM, Light TE, Davis S, Green JL, Guillen JLL, Myre W (2001) Coordinated observations of optical lightning from space using the FORTE photodiode detector and CCD imager. J Geophys Res 106:17897–17906
Thomason LW, Krider EP (1982) The effects of clouds on the light produced by lightning. J Atmos Sci 39:2051–2065
Thomas RJ, Krehbiel PR, Rison W, Hamlin T (2000) Comparison of ground-based 3-dimensional lightning mapping observations with satellite-based LIS observations in Oklahoma. Geophys Res Lett 27:1703–1706
Turman BN, Edgar BC (1982) Global lightning distributions at dawn and dusk. J Geophys Res 87:1191–1206
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Finke, U. (2009). Optical Detection of Lightning from Space. In: Betz, H.D., Schumann, U., Laroche, P. (eds) Lightning: Principles, Instruments and Applications. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9079-0_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9079-0_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-9078-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-9079-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)