About this Research Topic
Lightning is a major issue on the Earth for living in terms of natural disaster, and its increase of frequency is likely an indicator of climate change, and perhaps could play a role in releasing oxygen in the atmosphere of extrasolar planets. It is believed that lightning is a key contributor in the global atmospheric electrical circuit making a common link between Earth and the ionosphere. In addition, transient luminous events (TLEs) are also associated to balance the global atmospheric electrical circuit and are a major contributor to it. Lightning intensity, density, spatial and temporal analysis have been done by several researchers, but there is still some gaps in knowledge on a global basis. The physics of initiation and the propagation mechanism of lightning and associated phenomena are not well understood. Furthermore, the prevention and protection from the lightning on Earth is another challenge in the present scenario.
The contribution of lightning and associated phenomena can be noticed using ground based and satellite based observations. To address the issue, observations are required from in situ measurement using high-speed cameras, lightning mapping array and radio-sonde. However, lightning observations are not sufficient to solve all the related issues on the Earth and other planets and therefore the present call for papers is not limited to it. We also include the transient luminous events, atmospheric electric and magnetic field, with physical and empirical models. In addition, the numerical weather prediction models will also be considered in the present collection of papers.
We welcome Original Research articles and Review articles, including comparative studies, to this Research Topic that may lead to collections of articles on the present state and future scope for research. Topics of interest are:
- Lightning initiation, discharge physics and attachment process
- Thunderstorm charge structure, including charging mechanism and meteorology
- Upper atmospheric discharges (TLEs)
- Fair weather electricity, including the global electric circuit (GEC)
- Aerosols, ions , and planetary electricity
- Possible impacts of climate change on thunderstorms and lightning
- Lightning and thunderstorm safety
- Lightning prevention and protection techniques and future scope
- Lightning and atmospheric electricity instruments and validation
- Lightning across the Solar System and on Exoplanets
- Effects of lightning and thunderstorm on Ionosphere
The contribution of lightning and associated phenomena can be noticed using ground based and satellite based observations. To address the issue, observations are required from in situ measurement using high-speed cameras, lightning mapping array and radio-sonde. However, lightning observations are not sufficient to solve all the related issues on the Earth and other planets and therefore the present call for papers is not limited to it. We also include the transient luminous events, atmospheric electric and magnetic field, with physical and empirical models. In addition, the numerical weather prediction models will also be considered in the present collection of papers.
We welcome Original Research articles and Review articles, including comparative studies, to this Research Topic that may lead to collections of articles on the present state and future scope for research. Topics of interest are:
- Lightning initiation, discharge physics and attachment process
- Thunderstorm charge structure, including charging mechanism and meteorology
- Upper atmospheric discharges (TLEs)
- Fair weather electricity, including the global electric circuit (GEC)
- Aerosols, ions , and planetary electricity
- Possible impacts of climate change on thunderstorms and lightning
- Lightning and thunderstorm safety
- Lightning prevention and protection techniques and future scope
- Lightning and atmospheric electricity instruments and validation
- Lightning across the Solar System and on Exoplanets
- Effects of lightning and thunderstorm on Ionosphere
Keywords: lightning, terrestrial luminous events, atmospheric electricity, thunderstorm, lightning protection, ionosphere, Planet, Hazards
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
