A simultaneous observation of lightning by ASIM, Colombia-Lightning
Mapping Array, GLM and ISS-LIS
Abstract
The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) on the International
Space Station (ISS) provides optical radiances and images of lightning
flashes in several spectral bands. This work presents a lightning flash
simultaneously observed from space by ASIM, the Geostationary Lightning
Mapper (GLM) and the Lightning Imaging Sensor on the International Space
Station (ISS-LIS); and from ground by the Colombia Lightning Mapping
Array (Colombia-LMA). Volumetric weather radar provides reflectivity
data to help to interpret the effects of the cloud particles on the
observed optical features. We found that surges in radiance in the band
at 777.4 nm, appear to be related mostly with lightning processes
involving currents as well with branching of lightning leaders with new
leader development. In cloud areas with reflectivity <18 dBZ
above the lightning leader channels at altitudes >7 km,
these have been imaged by ASIM and GLM. But in the region with
reflectivity <23 dBZ, despite its lower cloud tops and similar
altitudes of lightning channels, these have been almost undetectable.
The estimated relative optical depth results consistent with the
observed optical features at the different locations of the flash.
Despite of the effects of the cloud particles and the altitude of the
lightning channels on the attenuation of the luminosity, the luminosity
of the lightning channels due to different processes is fundamental for
the imaging of lightning from space.