Scientists have observed an intense burst of radiation with the collision of two lightning paths. <\/p>\n
A study led by The University of Osaka observed the incident using a multi-sensor. Known as a terrestrial gamma-ray flash (TGF), the intense burst of radiation synchronized with a lightning discharge.<\/p>\n
Researchers previously hypothesized that TGFs arise from lightning discharges as a result of the acceleration of electrons to very high speeds. However, the transient nature of this phenomenon, which lasts for only tens of microseconds, made it difficult to confirm this hypothesis, according to researchers.<\/p>\n
The team set up a state-of-the-art multi-sensor setup to observe TGFs emerging from lightning storms in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, including optical, radio-frequency, and high-energy radiation.<\/p>\n
Terrestrial gamma-ray flash (TGFs) originating in lightning<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ability to study extreme processes such as TGFs originating in lightning<\/a> allows us to better understand the high-energy processes occurring in Earth\u2019s atmosphere,\u201d explained Yuuki Wada, lead author of the study.<\/p>\n Researchers observed two discharge paths, one descending from the thundercloud to the ground-based transmission tower and one ascending in the opposite direction. They found that a TGF occurred just before the two discharge paths met, creating a highly concentrated electric<\/a> field that accelerated electrons in the air to near light speed.<\/p>\n The research team highlighted that the first TGF photon<\/a> was observed 31 microseconds before the collision of the discharge paths, and the full burst lasted for 20 microseconds after they met to form the lightning strike. A discharge of \u221256 kA occurred as a result of the collision of lightning leaders.<\/p>\n Lightning discharges can produce transient gamma-ray emissions<\/p>\n