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Stanford University
Department of Electrical Engineering
Stanford, California
Dates in Antarctica:
December; instrument operates year-round
Supporting Stations: Palmer Station
Research Locations: Terra Lab, Glacier antenna
Project Description:
This project seeks to quantify the global phenomenology of tropospheric lightning activity and to identify and study the effects of this activity on Earth's ionosphere and radiation belts. Tropospheric lightning results from about 2,000 thunderstorms that are active at any given time and that maintain a global average lightning flash rate of about 100 per second.
The primary tool to study this phenomenon is monitoring the extremely low frequency (ELF) and very low frequency (VLF) bands of the electromagnetic spectrum in Palmer Station's unique, electromagnetically quiet environment. Other VLF receivers are located in Upland, Indiana, and in the Negev desert of Israel. Data from Palmer Station are used in conjunction with data from the other sites to study lightning activity in North and South America and western Africa.
Overview:
The researchers will perform annual maintenance and calibration and prepare the instrument and antenna for winter operation. The field team member will also install a radio link to acquire data from Vernadsky Station. The data collection equipment operates throughout the year and is maintained by the RPSC research associate.
Deploying Team Members:
Umran Inan (PI)
Robert Marshall
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