Neutron bursts associated with lightning cloud-to-ground discharges

1. Neutron bursts associated with lightning cloud-to-ground discharges V.I. Kozlov, V.A. Mullayarov, S.A. Starodubtsev, A.A. Toropov Yu.G. Shafer Institute of Cosmophysical Research and Aeronomy of SB RAS, Yakutsk, Russia E-mail: v.kozlov@ikfia.ysn.ru

2. Wepresentexperimentalresultsof the registrationoftheneutroncomponentduringthenearestthunderstormsintheyears 2009 -2011. The neutronsweredetectedwiththeYakutsk (61° 59.362' N; 129° 41.874' E) on the standardneutronmonitor 24-NM-64 (altitude 94 m abovesealevel, geomagneticcutoffthresholdof 1.65 GeV). We have used one-minute resolution data forneutron monitor. The electrostaticfluxmeterhas a measurement rangeof ±50 kV/m. The secondelectrostaticfluxmeterislocated 4 kmfrom the monitor, onthebuildingof theinstitute. Bothfluxmetersallowusto registerlightningdischargeswithin a radiusof 10-15 km. We haveusedone-secondresolutiondata for electrostatic mill. In the courseoftwostorms a high-speedvideo (300 fps) wasrecorded.

3. During the summer seasons of 2009-2011 thirty nine (39) thunderstorms were registered in the vicinity of the neutron monitor. In nine (9) of them the neutron flux level was up by a fairly significant value.

4. Depending on the electrical structure of a thundercloud, these variations can be divided into four main types. The first type is associated with the clouds where a positive charge dominates in the upper part, while a negative charge dominates at the bottom. The second type of field variations occurs with the same clouds, but has an additional compact positive charge at the bottom. The variations of the second type are the most frequently observed (total frequency 37%). All neutron bursts are correlated to this type of thunderstorm cloud structure. The third type is associated with the clouds where a negative charge is dominating in upper part, while at the bottom - a positive charge dominates (a negative polarity cloud). The lower negative charge shifted relative to each other. The fourth type of variation is associated with the clouds of positive polarity with the upper positive charge and the lower negative charge shifted relative to each other. It should also be noted that the bursts in the neutron component were mainly observed near the compact positive charge concentrated in the bottom of the thundercloud.

5. Probabilityofdifferenttypesofvariationsof the electricfieldstrengthduringthethunderstorm, andprobabilityofthetypesofthundercloudsthatcausedburstsintheneutroncomponent.

6. An example of bursts of neutrons during lightning discharges is shown. The top panel: the count rate of the neutron monitor.The bottom panel: the electric field strength. During the lightning discharges some typical jumps are observed in the electric field, after which the field is restored to its original value in seconds. Fig. 1

7. Study of the dependence of the neutron monitor counting rate of the surface tension of the atmospheric electric field during lightning discharges shows that short bursts of neutrons on the average recorded in excess of the threshold electric field strength (-16 kV / cm-1 In this case). It is the threshold value for thunderstorm 26 jun 2010. With increasing field is observed increasing the amplitude of bursts.

8. The bursts of neutrons observed during the thunderstorm. The top panel: the count rate of the neutron monitor; The bottom panel: the electric field strength. Figures mark certain cloud-to-ground lightning strikes and corresponding photos showing the places of strikes. The distances between the neutron monitor and the points of strikes: 1 - 6.2 km; 2 - 5.8 km, 7.1 km (2 branches of lightning) 3 – 6.2 km.

9. Spatial location of the points of lightning strikes during the thunderstorms of June 11, 2011 and June 12, 2011 relative to the neutron monitor. The distances between the neutron monitor and the points of strikes: 1 - 6.2 km; 2 - 5.8 km, 3 - 7.1 km; 4 - 6.2 km.

10. During a thunderstorm, 08.06.2012, neutron bursts were observed at much lower electric fields than in 2010 and 2011. The burst 36% correspond 40 sigma.

11. Conclusion • Wehaveconsidered the experimentalresultsofobservationoftheneutroncomponentatsealevel (94 m) and the electricfieldduringthenearestthunderstormsin 2009 - 2011. • The shortneutronfluxburstswereregisteredduringtheshort-distance (5-7 km) lightningdischarges. The burstswereobservedduring a significantchangeintheelectricfield (downtothe threshold andmore). The increaseintheneutronfluxreached36% of the averagelevelforthedataofoneminuteresolution. • Itwasestablishedthatall the neutronfluxburstswereobservedduringthethunderstormswiththesecondtypeofelectricstructureofthecloudhavingacompactpositivechargeatthebottom. The burstsweremostlyrecordedinthesecondhalfofthethunderstorm.

12. Thank your for attention

13. The thunderstorm of June 12, 2011 with positive lightning discharges that had no response in the neutron component. The top panel: the count rate of the neutron monitor; The bottom panel: the electric field strength. Figures mark certain discharges and corresponding high-speed video shots. The distance between the neutron monitor and the place of the strike (TV tower) in all three cases is 4.1 km.

14. In June 2012 there was five (5) storms. The three storms (3) observed bursts of neutrons in excess of the fluctuation level. For example - 01.06.2012.

15. During the storm, 01.06.2012, has failed electrostatic fluxmeter from near lightning.

16. During a thunderstorm, 14.06.2012, we observed bursts of neutrons of positive lightning discharges (the first case), and at much lower electric fields than in 2010 and 2011.