On blue jet dynamics

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 23; no. 13; pp. 1625 - 1628
• Main Authors: Sukhorukov, A. I., Mishin, E. V., Stubbe, P., Rycroft, M. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Blackwell Publishing Ltd 15.06.1996; American Geophysical Union
• Subjects: Altitude; Atmospheric electricity; Blue jets (atmospherics); Charge transfer; Cloud-to-ground discharges; Dynamics; Earth, ocean, space; Electron avalanche; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Meteorology; Terminals; Wave fronts; Ground discharge; Vertical speed; Electric field; Light emission; Thundercloud; Blue light; Dynamic model
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/96GL01367

A model is proposed for blue jets [Sentman and Wescott, 1995; Wescott et al., 1995a], which explains their dynamics, in particular the jet vertical velocity of about 100 km/s, the terminal altitudes of about 40–50 km, and the competitive occurrence of blue jets and the recently discovered blue starters [Wescott et al., 1995b]. A blue jet is considered to be formed by an attachment‐controlled ionizing wave, which moves upward via an electron avalanche in the wavefront due to the mainly vertical, downward directed quasi‐electrostatic field, caused by the extraordinarily large (>100 C) charge transfer in a high‐altitude intracloud discharge or in a positive cloud‐to‐ground discharge with a long continuing current.