Lightning Leader Progression and Source Altitudes in Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes

Steven A Cummer, Duke University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Durham, United States, Michael S Briggs, Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR), University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA, Huntsville, United States, Valerie Connaughton, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, United States, Gerald J Fishman, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Earth System Science Center, Huntsville, AL, United States and Joseph R Dwyer, University of New Hampshire Main Campus, Department of Physics, Durham, NH, United States; University of New Hampshire, Space Science Center (EOS), Department of Physics, Durham, NH, United States
Abstract:
Radio emissions continue to provide a unique view into the electrodynamics of terrestrial gamma ray flash (TGF) production. Exploiting the simultaneity of a distinct low frequency radio pulse with TGF production [Cummer et al., GRL, 2011], we have begun to measure the source altitude of individual TGFs. We continue our analysis of events that produced radio emissions that are sufficiently distinct to estimate the TGF source altitude from the timing of ground and ionospheric reflections. Moreover, an even smaller (but nonempty) subset of measured radio emissions enable altitude estimation of the sequence of lightning leader pulses that precede and follow the TGF. With these results we will attempt to paint a clearer observational picture of what happens before, during, and after TGFs.
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