Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/H024921/1
Relativistic Electron Beams Above Thunderclouds
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr M Fullekrug, University of Bath, Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- Grant held at:
- University of Bath, Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Atmospheric
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Upper Atmos Process & Geospace
- Tropospheric Processes
- Abstract:
- It has recently been discovered that lightning generates upward-directed relativistic electron beams above thunderclouds. This extends the phenomenon of relativistic runaway breakdown inside thunderclouds to the atmosphere above thunderclouds. This marks a profound advance in our understanding of the atmosphere because we now know it acts as a giant, natural, particle accelerator. The accelerated electrons can reach significant relativistic energies of some tens of MeV during their passage from the troposphere, through the middle atmosphere, into near-Earth space. These relativistic electron beams constitute a current above thunderclouds and effectively transfer energy from the troposphere to the middle atmosphere. This coupling process thereby forms a novel element of the global atmospheric electric circuit which links tropospheric thunderclouds to the atmosphere above.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/H024921/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grant (FEC)
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £305,051
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DI - Staff | DA - Estate Costs | DI - T&S | DA - Other Directly Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £36,239 | £95,510 | £21,420 | £94,732 | £33,737 | £20,962 | £2,449 |
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