Программа и тезисы докладов - Институт космических ...

It was discovered that from TC formation till the beginning of its most active phase
over the area of its activity and near the ionosphere the growth of parameter values
took place (up to 100 %). Then, over TC location area, parameter values started to
decrease (up to 50 %). Basic difference in relation to TC effect on the ionosphere in
terms of power level was not detected.
The Space experiMenT “The reSearch on The naTure oF The high alTiTude
lighTingS and The concoMiTanT proceSSeS in The aTMoSphere
and The ionoSphere oF The earTh on The baSiS oF Micro-SaTelliTe
“chibiS-M” WiTh The uSe oF cargo SpacecraFT “progreSS”
L. M. Zeleny, S. I. Klimov, V. M. Gotlib, V. G. Rodin, D. I. Novikov, M. S. Dolgonosov
Space Research Institute of Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
Despite the huge volume of investigations concerning physics of thunders,
there are still many gaps in our understanding of the physical processes of gas
clouds electric structure formation, the initiation of lightning breakdown and lightning
propagation, the generation of new chemical compounds and the role of thunder
generators in the global electric circuit. In particular, lightning discharges are
the basic source of nitrogen oxides generation, especially in the troposphere. However,
the properties of this source are far from being thoroughly examined. As the
estimates made by “Chibis-M” have indicated, typical conditions, which arise in
an electrified thunder cloud due to their large scale cannot be reproduced under
laboratory conditions. According to the data available from “Chibis-M”, the fractal
characteristics of discharges distribution within the cloud, which were previously
ignored on investigating the atmosphere electricity, can correct both the estimations
of the pace of nitrogen oxides generation in the thunder area and the contribution
of lightnings into the atmospheric chemistry and climate. Measurements made by
radio frequency analyzer (RFA) have shown that, in fact, the structure of thundery
front has a number of characteristic scales, and, to be more exact, the distribution
of charged microcells is random and can be described within the scope of fractal
typology; in some way it is the self-organization of the electrified layer that takes
place. Apart from the multifaceted analysis of exclusively lightning activity, the
complex of scientific equipment of micro-satellite “Chibis-M” will make it possible
to investigate fairly wide circle of phenomena connecting the atmosphere and
the ionosphere of the Earth. The study of the proper variations of the ionosphere
plasma parameters as well as the definition of the ionosphere criteria, which reflects
tropical cyclogenesis processes, should be noted in this relation.
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