Abstract
To catalyze transformative advancements in High-energy Physics in the Atmosphere (HEPA), a comprehensive understanding of particle fluxes, electric fields, and lightning occurrences across atmospheric layers is imperative. This paper elucidates the instrumentation and capabilities of the Aragats Space-Environmental Center (ASEC), which encompasses measurement tools for various cosmic ray species, near-surface electric fields, and lightning events integrated across high-mountain research station at slopes of Mt. Aragats and the highest mountains of Eastern Europe and Germany. Through these measurements, we aim to elucidate models of particle acceleration mechanisms and the charge distribution within the lower atmosphere. We introduce an Advanced Data Extraction Infrastructure (ADEI) integrated with sophisticated statistical analysis tools to facilitate rapid access to this wealth of data. Despite the significance of these atmospheric processes, the intricate interplay between thundercloud electrification, lightning activity, wideband radio emissions, and particle fluxes remains poorly understood. A particularly compelling avenue of inquiry lies in exploring the relationship between high-energy atmospheric phenomena, intracloud electric fields, and lightning initiation. Furthermore, investigations into accelerated structures within geospace plasmas hold promise for shedding light on particle acceleration processes, potentially extending to higher energies within analogous structures in cosmic plasmas. This paper also examines practical methodologies for extracting meaningful physical insights from temporal datasets, such as correlating surges in particle flux intensity with variations in near-surface electric field strength and precipitation patterns. Additionally, we explore the utility of wideband field and interferometer antenna signals in this context, offering valuable avenues for further research and analysis. Through these endeavors, we aim to deepen our understanding of high-energy atmospheric processes and their broader implications for terrestrial and cosmic phenomena.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The data underpinning this study can be accessed in numerical and graphical formats through the multivariate visualization software platform ADEI, hosted on the Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) webpage of the Yerevan Physics Institute (ADEI, 2024).
References
ADEI. (2024). Retrieved January 1, 2024, from http://adei.crd.yerphi.am/
Alexeenko, V. V., Khaerdinov, N. S., Lidvansky, A. S., et al. (2002). Transient variations of secondary cosmic rays due to atmospheric electric field and evidence for pre-lightning particle acceleration. Physics Letters A, 301, 299–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0375-9601(02)00981-7
Auger, P., Ehrenfest, P., Maze, R., et al. (1939). Extensive cosmic-ray showers. Reviews of Modern Physics, 11(3–4), 288–291. https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.11.288
Babich, L. P., Donskoy, E. N., Kutsyk, I. M., et al. (2001). Comparison of relativistic runaway electron avalanche rates obtained from Monte Carlo simulations and from kinetic equation solution. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 29(3), 430. https://doi.org/10.1109/27.928940
BOLTEK1. (2024). Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.boltek.com/EFM-100C_Manual_030323.pdf
BOLTEK2. (2024). Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.boltek.com/product/ld350-long-range-detection-kit
Bostanjyan, NKh., Chilingarian, A. A., Karapetyan, G., et al. (2007). On the production of highest energy solar protons on 20 January 2005. Advances in Space Research, 39, 1456–1459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2007.03.024
Chilingarian, A. (2024). Extensive air showers and atmospheric electric fields. Synergy of space and atmospheric particle accelerators. JASR. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2024.03.013
Chilingarian, A., Babayan, V., Karapetyan, T., et al. (2018). The SEVAN worldwide network of particle detectors: 10 years of operation. Advances in Space Research, 61, 2680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2018.02.030
Chilingarian, A., Chilingaryan, S., Karapetyan, T., et al. (2017a). On the initiation of lightning in thunderclouds. Scientific Reports, 7, 1371. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-01288-0
Chilingarian, A., Daryan, A., Arakelyan, K., Hovhannisyan, A., Mailyan, B., Melkumyan, L., & Hovsepyan, G. (2010). Ground-based observations of thunderstorm-correlated fluxes of high-energy electrons, gamma rays, and neutrons. Physical Review D, 82, 043009. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.82.043009
Chilingarian, A., Dolgonosov, M., Kiselyov, A., Khanikyantsa, Y., & Soghomonyan, S. (2020a). Lightning observations using broadband VHF interferometer and electric field measurements. Journal of Instrumentation, 15, P07002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/15/07/P07002
Chilingarian, A., Gharagyozyan, G., Hovsepyan, G., Ghazaryan, S., Melkumyan, L., & Vardanyan, A. (2004). Light and heavy cosmic-ray mass group energy spectra as measured by the MAKET-ANI detector. Astrophysical Journal, 603, L29–L32.
Chilingarian, A., Hovsepyan, G., & Hovhannisyan, A. (2011). Particle bursts from thunderclouds: Natural particle accelerators above our heads. Physical Review D, 83, 062001. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.83.062001
Chilingarian, A., Hovsepyan, G., Karapetyan, T., et al. (2020b). Structure of thunderstorm ground enhancements. Physical Review D, 101, 122004. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.101.122004
Chilingarian, A., Hovsepyan, G., Karapetyan, T., et al. (2022a). Multi-messenger observations of thunderstorm-related bursts of cosmic rays. JINST, 17, P07022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/17/07/P07022
Chilingarian, A., Hovsepyan, G., Karapetyan, T., Sarsyan, B., & Chilingaryan, S. (2022b). Measurements of energy spectra of relativistic electrons and gamma-rays avalanches developed in the thunderous atmosphere with Aragats solar neutron telescope. Journal of Instrumentation, 17, P03002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/17/03/P03002
Chilingarian, A., Hovsepyan, G., Khanikyanc, Y., Reymers, A., & Soghomonyan, S. (2015). Lightning origination and thunderstorm ground enhancements terminated by the lightning flash. Europhysics Letters, 110, 49001. https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/110/49001
Chilingarian, A., Hovsepyan, G., Melkumyan, L., et al. (2007). Study of extensive air showers and primary energy spectra by MAKET-ANI detector on Mountain Aragats. Astroparticle Physics, 28, 58–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2007.04.005
Chilingarian, A., Hovsepyan, G., Sargsyan, B., Karapetyan, T., Aslanyan, D., & Kozliner, L. (2024a). Enormous impulsive enhancement of particle fluxes observed on Aragats on May 23, 2023. Advances in Space Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2024.02.041
Chilingarian, A., Karapetyan, T., Sargsyan, B., Knapp, J., Walter, M., & Rehm, T. (2024b). Energy spectra of the first TGE observed on Zugspitze by the SEVAN light detector compared with the energetic TGE observed on Aragats. Astroparticle Physics, 156, 02924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2024.102924
Chilingarian, A., Khanikyants, Y., Mareev, E., Pokhsraryan, D., Rakov, V. A., & Soghomonyan, S. (2017b). Types of lightning discharges that abruptly terminate enhanced fluxes of energetic radiation and particles observed at ground level. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 122, 7582. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD026744
Chilingarian, A., Khanikyants, Y., Rakov, V. A., & Soghomonyan, S. (2020c). Termination of thunderstorm-related bursts of energetic radiation and particles by inverted intracloud and hybrid lightning discharges. Atmospheric Research, 233, 104713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2019.104713
Chilingarian, A., Kozliner, L., Sargsyan, B., Soghomonyan, S., Chilingaryan, S., Pokhsraryan, D., & Zazyan, M. (2022c). Thunderstorm ground enhancements: Multivariate analysis of 12 years of observations. Physical Review D, 106, 082004. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.106.082004
Chilingarian, A., Mirzoyan, R., & Zazyan, M. (2009). Cosmic ray research in Armenia. Advances in Space Research, 44, 1183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2008.11.029
Chilingarian, A., & Mkrtchyan, H. (2012). Role of the lower positive charge region (LPCR) in the initiation of the thunderstorm ground enhancements (TGEs). Physical Review D, 86, 072003. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.86.072003
Chilingarian, A., Pokhsraryan, D., Zagumennov, F., & Zazyan, M. (2024c). Space-temporal structure of the thunderstorm ground enhancements (TGEs). Physics Open, 18, 100202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physo.2023.100202
Chilingaryan, S., Beglarian, A., Kopmann, A., & Voekling, S. (2010). Advanced data extraction infrastructure: A WEB based system for management of time series data. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 219, 042034. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/219/4/042034
Chilingarian, A. A., Arakelyan, K., Avagyan, K., et al. (2005). Correlated measurements of secondary cosmic ray fluxes by the Aragats space environmental center monitors. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 543, 483–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2004.12.021
Chilingarian, A. A., Avagyan, K., Babayan, V., et al. (2003). Aragats space-environmental center: Status and SEP forecasting possibilities. Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics, 29, 939–952. https://doi.org/10.1088/0954-3899/29/5/314
Coleman, L. M., Stolzenburg, M., Marshall, T. C., & Stanley, M. (2008). Horizontal lightning propagation, preliminary breakdown, and electric potential in New Mexico thunderstorms. Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, D09208. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD009459
Danilova, T. V., Dunaevsky, A. M., Erlykin, A. D., et al. (1982). A project of the experiment on the investigation of interactions of hadrons in the energy range103–105 TeV. In Proc. Armenian Acad. Sci. Phys. Ser. (Vol. 17, pp. 129–132). (in Russian).
Dwyer, J. R. (2003). A fundamental limit on electric fields in air. Geophysical Research Letters, 30, 2055. https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL017781
Dwyer, J. R. (2007). Relativistic breakdown in planetary atmospheres. Physics of Plasmas, 14, 042901. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2709652
Dwyer, J. R., Smith, D. M., & Cummer, S. A. (2012). High-energy atmospheric physics: Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and related phenomena. Space Science Review, 173, 133.
Fishman, G. J., Bhat, P. N., Mallozzi, R., et al. (1994). Discovery of intense gamma-ray flashes of atmospheric origin. Science, 264, 1313. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.264.5163.1313
Garyaka, A. P., Martirosov, R., Eganov, V., et al. (2002). The cosmic ray energy spectrum around the knee measured with the GAMMA array at Mt. Aragats. Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics, 28, 231–2328.
Gevorgyan, N., Babayan, V., Chilingaryan, A., & Martirosyan, G. (2005). Test alert service against very large SEP events. Advances in Space Research, 36, 2351–2356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2004.04.016
Gurevich, A. V., Milikh, G. M., & Roussel-Dupre, R. A. (1992). Runaway electron mechanism of air breakdown and preconditioning during a thunderstorm. Physics Letters, 165A, 463. https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-9601(92)90348-P
Interferometer. (2024). Retrieved January 1, 2024, from http://crd.yerphi.am/vhf_interferometr/VHF%20INTERFEROMETER%20DATA/
KCDC. (2024). KASCADE cosmic ray data centre. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://kcdc.ikp.kit.edu/
Kelley, N. A., Smith, D. M., Dwyer, J. R., et al. (2015). Relativistic electron avalanches as a thunderstorm discharge competing with lightning. Nature Communications, 6, 7845. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8845
Lu, G., Cummer, S. A., Blakeslee, R. J., Weiss, S., & Beasley, W. H. (2012). Lightning morphology and impulse charge moment change of high peak current negative strokes. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, D04212. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JD016890
Nag, A., & Rakov, V. (2009). Some inferences on the role of lower positive charge regions in facilitating different types of lightning. Geophysical Research Letters, 36, L05815. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL036783
Ostgaard, N., Christian, H. J., Grove, J. E., Sarria, D., Mezentsev, A., Kochkin, P., et al. (2019). Gamma-ray glow observations at 20-km altitude. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 124, 7236–7254. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD030312
Ostgaard, N., Lang, T. G., Marisaldi, M., et al. (2023). Results from the ALOFT mission: A flight campaign for TGF and gamma-ray glow observations over Central America and the Caribbean in July 2023, AGU, San Francisco 2023, AE22A-03. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-3116
Torii, T., Sugita, T., Kamogawa, M., et al. (2011). Migrating source of energetic radiation generated by thunderstorm activity. Geophysical Research Letters, 38, L24801. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL049731
Wada, Y., Matsumoto, T., Enoto, T., et al. (2021). Catalog of gamma-ray glow during four winter seasons in Japan. Physical Review Research, 3, 043117. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.3.043117
Acknowledgements
We sincerely thank the Aragats Space Environmental Center staff for their seamless operation of experimental facilities on Mount Aragats. We also thank A. Kiselyov for creating the interferometer software, and S. Soghomonyan and V. Rakov for developing methods of joint analysis of particle fluxes and lightning discharges. S. Soghomonyan performed the analysis of lightning flashes and wrote Sect. 5. This research effort was supported by the Science Committee of the Republic of Armenia, Research Project No. 21AG-1C012.
Funding
This study was supported by State Committee of Science of the Republic of Armenia (Grant No. AG-1C012).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
A.A.—supervision, methodology, manuscript writing, data visualization K.T.—data curation, resources, formal analysis B.S.—software, validation, investigation S.C.—database software, conceptualization Y.K.—methodology, formal analysis.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Chilingarian, A., Karapetyan, T., Sargsyan, B. et al. Measurements of Particle Fluxes, Electric Fields, and Lightning Occurrences at the Aragats Space-Environmental Center (ASEC). Pure Appl. Geophys. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-024-03481-5
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-024-03481-5