Statistical Analysis of Sprite Streamer Splitting via High-Speed Observations

Abstract:

Analysis of sprite streamer splitting under true atmospheric conditions offers valuable insight into the behavior of sprites and complements both laboratory streamer and simulation studies. A sprite event was observed at Langmuir Lab in July 2010. Two Phantom 7.3 cameras with different configurations and overlapping FOVs captured the event. The first had a 500 mm lens (1.26 x 0.63 degree FOV) and recorded at 16,000 fps. The second had an 85 mm lens (7.3 x 3.7 degree FOV) and recorded at 10,000 fps. Results of analysis from several C sprite features are presented and discussed: the number of branching splits for each split event, the distance traveled prior to split, sprite diameters prior to split, and the ratio of sprite diameter prior to and after split.