A lightning detection system for studying transient phenomena in cosmic ray observatories

Discussion timeslot (ZOOM-Meeting): 19. July 2021 - 18:00
ZOOM-Meeting URL: https://desy.zoom.us/j/92210078166
ZOOM-Meeting ID: 92210078166
ZOOM-Meeting Passcode: ICRC2021
Corresponding Session: https://icrc2021-venue.desy.de/channel/09-Atmospheric-and-geophysical-phenomena-CRI/68
Live-Stream URL: https://icrc2021-venue.desy.de/livestream/Discussion-03/4

Abstract:
'Transients of the atmospheric electric field could cause anomalous events in the surface particle detectors of cosmic ray observatories. A better understanding of these incidents requires more accurate lightning data at the observation sites. We present the design and implementation of a monitoring system capable of detecting and storing lightning discharges. The acquisition window per event contains information of the first return stroke and the subsequent ones during 1.2 seconds at a sampling frequency of 100 kHz. The acquisition timing resolution (10 ns) allows a lightning strike location error smaller 10 m. The station also records environmental data, containing temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, and steady-state atmospheric electric field. A GPS receiver provides the absolute time of the station. 3-dimensional mapping of lightning discharge can be reconstructed in detail using a monitoring network of at least three stations. rnWe present preliminary measurements during a thunderstorm episode (2019-11-09). The event lasts about 2 hours, recording a maximum electric field peak $sim$-15 kV/m. The atmospheric potential was $sim$27 MV with an estimated thunderstorm cloud-base height of $sim$2 km. At least four lightning events occurred during the thunderstorm period. Such discharges released an electric field larger 5 kV/m.'

Authors: Jesús Peña-Rodríguez | Luis A. Núñez | Pedro Salgado-Meza | Leonardo Flórez-Villegas
Indico-ID: 1061
Proceeding URL: https://pos.sissa.it/395/253