63^rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE SA INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS

Multi-spectral observations of sprites: N2(1PG) and N2+(2PG) Emissions

27 Jun 2018, 14:20

20m

Oral Presentation Track D2 - Space Science Space Science

Speaker

Mr Stanislaus Nnadih (SpaceLab, Electrical Engineering Department,University of Cape Town)

Description

We present a series of simultaneous ground-based observations of sprite events over convective thunderstorms in southern Africa. These observations were made at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland during the austral summer of 2016/17 and 2017/18, using multiple cameras to record unfiltered images in white light and filtered images at 426-438 nm and 640 – 675 nm, which correspond to the N2+ and N2 emission spectra of sprites. The orientation of the camera (azimuth and elevation angle) was determined during the analysis by identifying the stars recorded in the image, which was done to single-pixel accuracy. The sprite locations were compared with the lightning locations derived from the lightning detection network operated by the South African Weather Service (SAWS). Low-Frequency radio waveforms associated the observed events were inferred from Extremely Low-Frequency electric field measurements recorded at Sutherland simultaneously with the optical measurements. The results are presented and discussed.

Supervisor details<br><b>If not a student, type N/A.</b><br>Student abstract submision<br>requires supervisor permission:<br>please give their name,<br> institution and email address.

Prof. Peter Martinez,SpaceLab, University of Cape Town,Peter.martinez@uct.ac.za,