Ground-based detection of TLE-producing intense lightning during the MEIDEX mission on board the space shuttle Columbia

Abstract

In January 2003 Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) also known as sprites and ELVES were observed by the astronauts on board of the Columbia space shuttle, during the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment (MEIDEX). Throughout the 16-day mission, electromagnetic data at four ground-based Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) stations (Israel, Hungary, Japan and Antarctica) were collected to geo-locate and determine the parameters of the parent lightning that triggered the TLEs. From our analysis 7 ELVES and 7 sprites have been detected so far in our data. ELF transients were detected for 5 of 7 ELVES at all ground stations with accurate geo-location of these events. However, none of the sprites were associated with ELF transients. This is contrary to the present theories of TLE formation, and may require some new thinking into the mechanisms that produce sprites and ELVES. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union.