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Three years of the Lightning Imaging Sensor onboard the International Space Station: Expanded Global Coverage and Enhanced Applications
  • +19
  • Timothy J Lang,
  • Richard Blakeslee,
  • William J. Koshak,
  • Dennis E. Buechler,
  • Patrick Gatlin,
  • Douglas Michael Mach,
  • Geoffrey T. Stano,
  • Katrina S. Virts,
  • T. Daniel Walker,
  • Daniel J. Cecil,
  • William Ellett,
  • Steven Goodman,
  • Sherry Harrison,
  • Donald Lamar Hawkins,
  • Matthias Heumesser,
  • Hong Lin,
  • Manil Maskey,
  • Christopher J Schultz,
  • Michael F. Stewart,
  • Monte Bateman,
  • Olivier Chanrion,
  • Hugh Christian
Timothy J Lang
NASA MSFC, NASA MSFC, NASA MSFC

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Richard Blakeslee
NASA-MSFC, NASA-MSFC, NASA-MSFC
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William J. Koshak
NASA/MSFC, NASA/MSFC, NASA/MSFC
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Dennis E. Buechler
Unknown, Unknown, Unknown
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Patrick Gatlin
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
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Douglas Michael Mach
Universities Space Research Association, Universities Space Research Association, Universities Space Research Association
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Geoffrey T. Stano
University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville
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Katrina S. Virts
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
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T. Daniel Walker
University of Alabama Huntsville, University of Alabama Huntsville, University of Alabama Huntsville
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Daniel J. Cecil
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
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William Ellett
University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville
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Steven Goodman
Retired, Retired, Retired
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Sherry Harrison
University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville
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Donald Lamar Hawkins
University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville
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Matthias Heumesser
National Space Institute (DTU Space), National Space Institute (DTU Space), National Space Institute (DTU Space)
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Hong Lin
University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville
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Manil Maskey
Unknown, Unknown, Unknown
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Christopher J Schultz
NASA/MSFC, NASA/MSFC, NASA/MSFC
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Michael F. Stewart
University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville
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Monte Bateman
USRA, USRA, USRA
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Olivier Chanrion
National Space Institute (DTU Space), National Space Institute (DTU Space), National Space Institute (DTU Space)
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Hugh Christian
University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsville
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Abstract

The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2017, detecting optical signatures of lightning with storm-scale horizontal resolution during both day and night. ISS LIS data are available beginning 1 March 2017. Millisecond timing allows detailed intercalibration and validation with other spaceborne and ground-based lightning sensors. Initial comparisons with those other sensors suggest flash detection efficiency around 60% (diurnal variability of 51-75%), false alarm rate under 5%, timing accuracy better than 2 ms, and horizontal location accuracy around 3 km. The spatially uniform flash detection capability of ISS LIS from low-Earth orbit allows assessment of spatially varying flash detection efficiency for other sensors and networks, particularly the Geostationary Lightning Mappers. ISS LIS provides research data suitable for investigations of lightning physics, climatology, thunderstorm processes, and atmospheric composition, as well as realtime lightning data for operational forecasting and aviation weather interests. ISS LIS enables enrichment and extension of the long-term global climatology of lightning from space, and is the only recent platform that extends the global record to higher latitudes (± 55). The global spatial distribution of lightning from ISS LIS is broadly similar to previous datasets, with globally averaged seasonal/annual flash rates about 5-10% lower. This difference is likely due to reduced flash detection efficiency that will be mitigated in future ISS LIS data processing, as well as the shorter ISS LIS period of record. The expected land/ocean contrast in the diurnal variability of global lightning is also observed.