NASA’s Modified U2 Spy Plane Reveals the Radioactivity of Tropical Thunderstorms
A modified U2 spy plane has uncovered a surprising abundance and variety of gamma raysgenerated within large tropical thunderstorms, revealing a hidden world of high-energy activity within these weather phenomena.
Initially, NASA satellites designed to detect high-energy particlesfrom space stumbled upon bursts of gamma rays originating from Earth’s thunderstorms. This unexpected discovery sparked further investigation, leading NASA to utilize a modified U2 spy planeto study these gamma rays in greater detail. The research, published in two papers in Nature on October 3rd, revealed that these gamma rays are common in thunderstorms, exhibiting diverse forms and a clear connection to the electrical activity withinthe storms.
This finding unveils a complex dynamic process involving high-speed electrons and nuclear reactions, potentially influencing lightning formation.
A Surprising Discovery
In the 1990s, NASA satellites built to detect high-energy particlesfrom supernovae and other celestial objects made a surprising discovery – bursts of high-energy gamma rays originating from Earth. While researchers quickly determined that these radioactive supercharged particles stemmed from thunderstorms, the prevalence of this phenomenon remained a mystery.
Satellites were not designed to detect gamma radiation from Earth, and they had to bein the right place at the right time to capture these emissions. Over the years, scientists have relied on less-than-ideal platforms to study this phenomenon. Now, a team of scientists has had the opportunity to fly a modified U2 spy plane owned by NASA over storms to conduct proper observations.
Unveiling theComplexity of Thunderstorms
The new research, published in two papers in Nature, reveals that gamma rays generated within thunderstorms are far more prevalent than previously thought, and the dynamics driving their production hold yet-unravelled mysteries.
There’s a lot more going on in thunderstorms than we thought, says SteveCummer, the William H. Young Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Duke University. It turns out that basically all large thunderstorms are producing gamma rays all day long in a variety of different forms.
Implications for Understanding Thunderstorms
This discovery sheds new light on the intricate workings of thunderstorms, highlighting the presence of high-energy processes within these seemingly ordinary weather events. The findings could have significant implications for understanding lightning formation, atmospheric physics, and the potential impact of these events on the environment.
Future Research
The research team plans to continue studying these gamma rays using the modified U2 spy plane, hoping to gain a deeper understanding ofthe complex processes involved in their generation. This research will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of thunderstorms and their impact on our planet.
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