Upward lightning flash characterization from high-speed camera videos and electric field measurements

• Grant number: 13/05784-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Magalhães Fares Saba
• Grantee: Carina Schumann
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/10299-6 - Upward lightning flashes, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

On January 2012, the first upward lightning in Brazil was recorded. Four upward lightning flashes initiated from one of the towers located on Jaragua Peak, in São Paulo city, three of them were recorded at an interval of six minutes. They were recorded with a high-speed camera (4000 fps) and standard camera. This research project aims to increase knowledge about the upward lightning never studied in Brazil. It aims to answer some questions that early and recent observations motivated. Among them are: what is the frequency of these kind of discharges? How they initiate? What types of structures are favorable for their initiation? How they are different from downward lightning flashes? To answer these and other questions, we will combine observations of high-speed video cameras, measurements of electric field data and lightning detection networks. As lightning protection standards are based on downward lightning flashes, this research may identify issues uniquely associated with upward lightning, which are not currently known and not even included in standards of protection. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MONTANYA, J.; LOPEZ, J. A.; VELDE, O. VAN DER; SOLA, G.; ROMERO, D.; MORALES, C.; VISACRO, S.; SABA, M. M. F.; GOODMAN, S. J.; WILLIAMS, E.; et al. Potential use of space-based lightning detection in electric power systems. Electric Power Systems Research, v. 213, p. 11-pg., 2022-09-06. (12/15375-7, 13/05784-0)

SCHUMANN, CARINA; SABA, MARCELO M. F.; WARNER, TOM A.; FERRO, MARCO A. S.; IEEE. Upward Flashes Triggering Mechanisms. 2017 INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON LIGHTNING PROTECTION (XIV SIPDA), v. N/A, p. 4-pg., 2017-01-01. (13/05784-0, 12/15375-7)

SABA, MARCELO M. F.; DE PAIVA, AMANDA R.; CONCOLLATO, LUKE C.; WARNER, TOM A.; SCHUMANN, CARINA. Optical observation of needles in upward lightning flashes. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 10, n. 1, OCT 15 2020. (12/15375-7, 13/05784-0)

SCHUMANN, CARINA; SABA, MARCELO M. F.; WARNER, TOM A.; FERRO, MARCO A. S.; HELSDON, JR., JOHN H.; THOMAS, RON; ORVILLE, RICHARD E.. On the Triggering Mechanisms of Upward Lightning. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 9, JUL 3 2019. (12/15375-7, 13/05784-0)

SABA, MARCELO M. F.; SCHUMANN, CARINA; WARNER, TOM A.; FERRO, MARCO ANTONIO S.; DE PAIVA, AMANDA ROMAO; HELSDON, JR., JOHN; ORVILLE, RICHARD E.. Upward lightning flashes characteristics from high-speed videos. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES, v. 121, n. 14, p. 8493-8505, JUL 27 2016. (13/05784-0, 12/15375-7, 14/10299-6)