Coordinated observations of optical lightning from space using the FORTE photodiode detector and CCD imager

Abstract

Abstract. This paper presents an overview of the coordinated observation of optical lightning from space using the photodiode detector (PDD) and CCD-based imager known as the Lightning Location System (LLS) aboard the Fast On-Orbit Recording of Transient Events (FORTE) satellite. PDD/LLS coincidence statistics are presented and show that both the detected energy density and the detected peak irradiance of optical lightning events are proportional to the number of LLS pixels (pixel multiplicity) which are activated during the event. The inference is that LLS pixel multiplicity is more a function of the detected intensity and horizontal extent of the optical event rather than a direct indicator of the degree of scattering. PDD/LLS event coincidence is also used to improve upon traditional recurrence/clustering algorithms that discriminate against false LLS events due to energetic particles and glint. Energy density measurements of coincident events show that about 4% of the optical energy detected by the broadband PDD appears in the narrowband LLS. This is in general agreement with ground-based measurements and with assumptions incorporated into the design of current and planned CCD-imaging sensors. IntroductionThe satellite-based detection of optical emissions from lightning provides an effective way to monitor and study thunder- The goals of this study were to (1) present the basic phenomenology and techniques associated with the joint detection of optical lightning by a space-based photodiode sensor and CCD imager, (2) use the coordinated data set to explore the relationship between PDD optical waveform features and LLS pixel event characteristics, particularly as it pertains to the scattering of light by the intervening clouds, and (3) demonstrate the use of combined waveform/imager data to improve upon current satellite-based lightning data interpretation and discrimination techniques. 17,897

Joint radio and optical observations of the most radio-powerful intracloud lightning discharges

“…The secondary optical instrument for this study is the LLS (lightning location system) imager (described in detail by Suszcynsky et al, 2001), which provided 128 × 128-macropixel maps of lightning with frame duration ∼ 2.5 ms. The LLS front end was derived from, and used the same www.ann-geophys.net/31/563/2013/ Ann.…”

“…One of these satellites was Alexis Massey and Holden, 1995;Massey et al, 1998), launched in 1993, while the other was Fast On-orbit Recording of Transient Events, or FORTE (Jacobson et al, 1999), launched in 1997. FORTE also carried optical payloads for lightning studies Suszcynsky et al, 2000Suszcynsky et al, , 2001.…”

Bimodal radio frequency pulse distribution of intracloud‐lightning signals recorded by the FORTE satellite

“…Unlike the LMA Thomas et al, 2001] and other ground-based lightning mapping systems, and unlike fine-resolution optical imagers [Boccippio et al, 2000a;Christian et al, 1999;Suszcynsky et al, 2001], a single satellite like FORTE recording a VHF pulse cannot spatially locate that pulse. In particular, some apparent neighboring pulses, though close in time, may arise from altogether different storms in the large field of view.…”

Taranis MCP: a joint instrument for accurate monitoring of transient luminous event in the upper atmosphere

“…This narrowband includes one of the strongest emission bands of lightning flash due to atomic oxygen excitation [38]. It was used in three last space-borne instruments dedicated to lightning detection and location (OTD, LIS [39] and FORTE [40]). Lightning brightness through this band is thus well documented.…”