Optical detection of lightning from space

Abstract

Lightning detection by optical means from satellites provides a globally uniform observation of lightning. Prototypes of optical detectors have been operated by NASA on low orbit satellites for more than 10 years. For the next generation of geostationary satellites optical lightning location sensors are planned. This contribution gives an overview of the principles of optical detection of lightning from satellites and a description of the existing systems. The specifics of the data from space based sensors are discussed and the scientific results which were achieved so far are presented. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.