Location prediction of electron TGFs

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117; no. A2
• Main Authors: Xiong, S., Briggs, M. S., Connaughton, V., Fishman, G. J., Tierney, D., Fitzpatrick, G., Foley, S., Guiriec, S., Holzworth, R. H., Hutchins, M. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2012; American Geophysical Union
• Subjects: Astronomy; Astrophysics; Atmospheric sciences; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Gamma rays; Geomagnetic field; Lightning; Physics; Spacecraft; Sun; TGF; Thunderstorms; Energetics; altitude; Field line; gamma rays; maps; Electrical activity; satellite orbit; cartography; geomagnetic field; Thunderstorm; electrons; instruments; Source localization; Lightning; prediction; transient phenomena; Atmospheric electricity; Positron
• ISSN: 0148-0227; 2169-9380; 2156-2202; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1029/2011JA017085

Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flashes (TGFs) are brief pulses of energetic radiation that correlate with thunderstorms and lightning. Most TGFs are observed as gamma‐ray pulses; less frequently they can be observed as electrons and positrons that travel along the geomagnetic field line from the source to the detector. In this paper we predict where electron TGFs should be observed by tracing geomagnetic field lines from likely TGF sources and determining the intersections with satellite orbits. TGF source locations are based upon lightning maps by the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and the Optical Transient Detector (OTD). Predictions are made both for existing spacecraft with instruments observing TGFs and for other orbits. We compare the predictions to the locations of TGFs that have been observed as electron TGFs. 12 of the 13 known electron TGFs are within the predicted high‐rate regions. Based on the predicted location maps of electron TGFs, we find that electron TGFs should sometimes be observed above areas with low lightning activity and that electron TGFs are best observed at low altitudes (below approximately 1000 km). Key Points Location of electron TGFs is predicted by tracing geomagnetic field lines Twelve of the thirteen known electron TGFs are within the predicted high‐rate regions Electron TGFs should sometimes be observed above areas of low lightning activity