Accession Number:

ADA556696

Title:

Constructing a Climatology of Whistler Wave Energy from Lightning in Low Earth Orbit

Descriptive Note:

Interim rept. 1 Oct 2010-1 Oct 2011

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB KIRTLAND AFB NM SPACE VEHICLES DIRECTORATE

Personal Author(s):

• Colman, Jonah J.

Report Date:

2011-12-16

Pagination or Media Count:

48.0

Abstract:

Starting from OTDLIS lightning data representing 1995-2005, a climatology is constructed with 1 deg x 1 deg latitude-longitude spatial resolution, averaged into 2 hour bins for each month of the year. Assuming a linear relationship between optical flash rate and VLF power flux, and that the VLF amplitude drops off as one over distance, a proxy for VLF power is developed. A typical lightning spectrum is then applied and the values are scaled by an appropriate transionospheric absorption for each time and place. These values are mapped up the geomagnetic field lines to low earth orbit altitudes and over to conjugate locations in order to compare them to E-field spectral densities measured by the DEMETER satellite between 2005 and 2009. An overview of the DEMETER survey mode data is presented which leads to a best scaling of the lightning VLF climatology. The final distributions spatial and temporal variations are compared with the DEMETER data and some implications are discussed.

Descriptors:

• *CLIMATOLOGY
• *LIGHTNING
• AMPLITUDE
• ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
• LOW ORBIT TRAJECTORIES
• PLASMA WAVES
• RADIATION BELTS
• VERY LOW FREQUENCY

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE