Gamma-ray phenomena linked to lightning strikes
Weak gamma-ray glows from thunderclouds may precede lightning bolts and accompanying gamma-ray flashes.
Yuuki Wada — University of Tokyo graduate student — together with colleagues from Japan, has discovered a connection between lightning strikes and two kinds of gamma-ray phenomena in thunderclouds. Their research suggests that, in certain conditions, weak gamma-ray glows from thunderclouds may precede lightning bolts and their accompanying gamma-ray flashes.
For around three decades, scientists have been aware that thunderstorms can bring with them gamma-ray activity.
Wada explains: “Forever, people have seen lightning and heard thunder. These were the ways we could experience this power of nature.
“With the discovery of electromagnetism, scientists learned to see lightning with radio receivers. But now we can observe lightning in gamma rays — ionizing radiation. It’s like having four eyes to study the phenomena.”
There are two known kinds of gamma-ray phenomena associated with thunderclouds — gamma-ray glows, which are weak…
