In January 2003 Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) also known as sprites and ELVES were observed by the astronauts on board of the Columbia space shuttle, during the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment (MEIDEX). Throughout the 16-day mission, electromagnetic data at four ground-based Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) stations (Israel, Hungary, Japan and Antarctica) were collected to geo-locate and determine the parameters of the parent lightning that triggered the TLEs. From our analysis 7 ELVES and 7 sprites have been detected so far in our data. ELF transients were detected for 5 of 7 ELVES at all ground stations with accurate geo-location of these events. However, none of the sprites were associated with ELF transients. This is contrary to the present theories of TLE formation, and may require some new thinking into the mechanisms that produce sprites and ELVES.
- 3304 Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics: Atmospheric electricity
- 3314 Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics: Convective processes
- 3324 Meteorology and atmosperic dynamics: Lightning
- 6914 Radio science: Electromagnetic noise and interference
- 6964 Radio science: Radio wave propagation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)