High-speed camera network for monitoring and study lightning (RAMMER Project)

• Grant number: 10/01742-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2010
• End date: May 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Osmar Pinto Junior
• Grantee: Antonio Carlos Varela Saraiva
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/56711-4 - Detection of trends in the lightning activity in Brazil related to climatic changes, AP.TEM

Abstract

This project proposes, for the first time, a development and applications of a high-speed cameras network for the observations and studying of lightning flashes. The high-speed cameras are being purchased by the Thematic Project (FAPESP 08/56711-4) started in December 2009 and have the ability to record high-resolution video (up to 1632 x 1200 pixels at 1000 frames per second). A robust system will be assembled to ensure the safe operation of the cameras in adverse weather conditions and the ability to save a large number of flashes by storm, more than the values reported to date. Data acquired will be correlated with data from the sensors of the Brazilian Lightning Detection Network (BRASILDAT), data from the fast and slow electric field network, Field Mill, as well as the data from LMA (Lightning Mapping Array) to be installed in end of 2010 in the cities of São Paulo and São Jose dos Campos. The following objectives are envisaged: a) make the first reconstructions in three dimensions of the lightning channel with the high-speed cameras and check your dependence with the physical conditions associated with each storm, b) observe almost all lightning of a single storm cloud in order to compare the physical characteristics of the lightning for different storms and their dependence on physical conditions associated with each storm, c) evaluate the performance of new BRASILDAT network sensors being acquired by the Thematic Project above mentioned in different locations simultaneously. (AU)

Scientific publications

(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)

ANTUNES, L. S.; SARAIVA, A. C. V.; PINTO, JR., O.; ALVES, J.; CAMPOS, L. Z. S.; LUZ, E. S. A. M.; MEDEIROS, C.; BUZATO, T. S.. Day-to-day differences in the characterization of lightning observed by multiple high-speed cameras. Electric Power Systems Research, v. 118, n. SI, p. 93-100, JAN 2015. (13/18785-4, 10/01742-2, 08/56711-4)

SARAIVA, A. C. V.; CAMPOS, L. Z. S.; WILLIAMS, E. R.; ZEPKA, G. S.; ALVES, J.; PINTO, JR., O.; HECKMAN, S.; BUZATO, T. S.; BAILEY, J. C.; MORALES, C. A.; et al. High-speed video and electromagnetic analysis of two natural bipolar cloud-to-ground lightning flashes. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES, v. 119, n. 10, p. 6105-6127, MAY 27 2014. (10/01742-2, 08/56711-4, 09/15235-8)

ANTUNES, L. S.; SARAIVA, A. C. V.; PINTO, O., JR.; ALVES, J.; CAMPOS, L. Z. S.; LUZ, E. S. A. M.; MEDEIROS, C.; BUZATO, T. S.. Day-to-day differences in the characterization of lightning observed by multiple high-speed cameras. Electric Power Systems Research, v. 118, p. 8-pg., 2015-01-01. (10/01742-2, 08/56711-4, 13/18785-4)