Transient airglow enhancements observed from the space shuttle Columbia during the MEIDEX sprite campaign

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. L06124 - n/a
• Main Authors: Israelevich, P. L., Yair, Y., Devir, A. D., Joseph, J. H., Levin, Z., Mayo, I., Moalem, M., Price, C., Ziv, B., Sternlieb, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Geophysical Union 01-03-2004; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Airglow and aurora; Atmospheric Composition and Structure; Atmospheric electricity; Electromagnetics; Ionosphere; Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions; Lightning; Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics; Wave propagation
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2003GL019110

First results of observations of ELVES during the last mission of the space shuttle Columbia by the MEIDEX (Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment) instrument are reported. During the eclipse parts of 25 orbits, there were observations toward the Earth's limb above the areas of active thunderstorms. Strong enhancements of the brightness of the airglow layer above lightning flashes were observed, with lateral dimensions exceeding 400 km. This phenomenon, known as ELVES, is a clear manifestation of the interaction between the electromagnetic pulse from the lightning stroke and the lower ionosphere. The observed ELVES have been produced both by vertical and horizontal discharges.