4:30 PM - 4:45 PM
[MIS19-11] Observability of microwave radiation from lightning discharge in the 10 GHz band
Keywords:lightning discharge, microwave, Phased Array Weather Radar
Many observations of electromagnetic radiation from lightning discharges have been made in the very short wave (VHF) and long wave (LF) bands and have already been used to measure the location of lightning discharges (Ushio et al., 2014). In this study, we discuss the possibility of observing radiation from lightning discharges in microwave, which have shorter wavelength than the VHF and LF bands. Microwaves have the shortest wavelength of the observable electromagnetic waves emitted from lightning discharges, and several observations have already been reported including in the 1.63 GHz band (Petersen et al., 2013). However, there are even fewer observations at higher frequencies, such as in the 10 GHz band. If electromagnetic waves from lightning discharges can be continuously observed in such a high frequency band, it may contribute to the elucidation of more detailed mechanisms of lightning discharges and the development of observation techniques.
In this study, non-thermal radiation from the lightning current and thermal radiation from the plasma that serves as the discharge path are discussed. Furthermore, the possibility of observing the radiation from these sources is investigated using the Multi-Parameter Phased Array Weather Radar (MP-PAWR) installed at the Suita Campus of Osaka University. Unlike conventional parabolic radars, MP-PAWR can scan the entire sky at high speed because it can transmit and receive wide beams in elevation direction. MP-PAWR installed at the Suita campus has a center frequency of 9.71 GHz and a bandwidth of 2 MHz. By operating the MP-PAWR in receive-only mode, direct observation of lightning discharges may be possible by taking advantage of its wide observation range in the elevation direction. In this presentation, we will mainly report on the possibility of observing radiation from lightning discharges in the 10 GHz band at Suita MP-PAWR and the results of its analysis.
In this study, non-thermal radiation from the lightning current and thermal radiation from the plasma that serves as the discharge path are discussed. Furthermore, the possibility of observing the radiation from these sources is investigated using the Multi-Parameter Phased Array Weather Radar (MP-PAWR) installed at the Suita Campus of Osaka University. Unlike conventional parabolic radars, MP-PAWR can scan the entire sky at high speed because it can transmit and receive wide beams in elevation direction. MP-PAWR installed at the Suita campus has a center frequency of 9.71 GHz and a bandwidth of 2 MHz. By operating the MP-PAWR in receive-only mode, direct observation of lightning discharges may be possible by taking advantage of its wide observation range in the elevation direction. In this presentation, we will mainly report on the possibility of observing radiation from lightning discharges in the 10 GHz band at Suita MP-PAWR and the results of its analysis.