Editing Lightning (section)

== Detection and monitoring ==
{{main|Lightning detection}}
[[File:Museu Romàntic Can Papiol. Maig 2014 05.JPG|thumb|Lightning strike counter in a museum]]

The earliest detector invented to warn of the approach of a thunderstorm was the [[lightning bell]]. [[Benjamin Franklin]] installed one such device in his house.<ref>The Franklin Institute. [http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/bells.html Ben Franklin's Lightning Bells] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212052405/http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/bells.html |date=December 12, 2008 }}. Retrieved December 14, 2008.</ref><ref>Rimstar.org [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEqudsyIWzk Video demonstration of how Franklin's Bell worked] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806121106/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEqudsyIWzk |date=August 6, 2016 }}</ref> The detector was based on an electrostatic device called the 'electric chimes' invented by [[Andrew Gordon (Benedictine)|Andrew Gordon]] in 1742.

Lightning discharges generate a wide range of electromagnetic radiations, including radio-frequency pulses. The [[Earth-ionosphere waveguide]] traps electromagnetic [[VLF]]- and [[Extremely low frequency|ELF]] waves. Electromagnetic pulses transmitted by lightning strikes propagate within that waveguide. The waveguide is dispersive, which means that their [[group velocity]] depends on frequency. The difference of the group time delay of a lightning pulse at adjacent frequencies is proportional to the distance between transmitter and receiver. Together with direction-finding methods, this allows locating lightning strikes up to distances of 10,000&nbsp;km from their origin. Moreover, the eigenfrequencies of the Earth-ionospheric waveguide, the [[Schumann resonances]]
at about 7.5&nbsp;Hz, are used to determine the global thunderstorm activity.<ref>Volland, H. (ed) (1995) ''Handbook of Atmospheric Electrodynamics'', CRC Press, Boca Raton, {{ISBN|0849386470}}.</ref>

A number of countries have installed nationwide lightning detector networks. The United States federal
government has constructed a nationwide grid of such lightning detectors, allowing lightning discharges
to be tracked in real time throughout the continental U.S.<ref>{{cite web
 |title        = Lightning Detection Systems
 |url          = http://www.nwstc.noaa.gov/METEOR/Lightning/detection.htm
 |access-date  = July 27, 2007
|url-status   = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080917190959/http://www.nwstc.noaa.gov/METEOR/Lightning/detection.htm
 |archive-date = September 17, 2008
|df           = mdy-all
}} NOAA page on how the U.S. national lightning detection system operates</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Vaisala Thunderstorm Online Application Portal
| url = https://thunderstorm.vaisala.com/tux/jsp/explorer/explorer.jsp
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928033058/https://thunderstorm.vaisala.com/tux/jsp/explorer/explorer.jsp
| archive-date = September 28, 2007
| access-date = July 27, 2007 }} Real-time map of lightning discharges in U.S.</ref> The EUCLID detection network is a
combination of several national networks across Europe.<ref name="EUCLID">{{cite journal |last1=Schulz |first1=Wolfgang |last2=Diendorfer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Pedeboy |first3=Stéphane |last4=Poelman |first4=Dieter Roel |title=The European lightning location system EUCLID – Part 1: Performance analysis and validation |journal=Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences |date=2 March 2016 |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=595–605 |doi=10.5194/nhess-16-595-2016 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2016NHESS..16..595S }}</ref> Other examples of nations with lightning detection networks are India and Brazil.<ref name="ILDN">{{cite web |title=Indian Lightning Detection Network (ILDN) |url=https://ildn.in/about.php |website=ildn.in |access-date=30 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="BrazilNetwork">{{cite book |last1=Pinto |first1=Osmar |last2=Naccarato |first2=Kleber P. |last3=Pinto |first3=Iara R. C. A. |chapter=The new Brazilian lightning detection network: First results |title=2011 International Symposium on Lightning Protection |date=October 2011 |pages=152–153 |doi=10.1109/SIPDA.2011.6088441|isbn=978-1-4577-1897-7 }}</ref>

There are a range of global detection networks, which vary in their commercial and academic principles.
Blitzortung (a private global detection system that consists of over 500 detection stations owned and
operated by hobbyists/volunteers) provides near real-time lightning maps.<ref name="blitzortung">{{cite web |title=Lightning & Thunderstorms – World Map |url=https://www.blitzortung.org/en/live_lightning_maps.php |website=www.blitzortung.org |access-date=30 April 2025}}</ref> The World Wide
Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) is an academic led detection system.<ref name="WWLLN">{{cite journal |last1=Rodger |first1=C. J. |last2=Werner |first2=S. |last3=Brundell |first3=J. B. |last4=Lay |first4=E. H. |last5=Thomson |first5=N. R. |last6=Holzworth |first6=R. H. |last7=Dowden |first7=R. L. |title=Detection efficiency of the VLF World-Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN): initial case study |journal=Annales Geophysicae |date=21 December 2006 |volume=24 |issue=12 |pages=3197–3214 |doi=10.5194/angeo-24-3197-2006|doi-access=free |bibcode=2006AnGeo..24.3197R }}</ref> The Vaisala GLD360 network is a private
enterprise.<ref name="GLD360">{{cite journal |last1=Pohjola |first1=Heikki |last2=Mäkelä |first2=Antti |title=The comparison of GLD360 and EUCLID lightning location systems in Europe |journal=Atmospheric Research |date=1 April 2013 |volume=123 |pages=117–128 |doi=10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.10.019|bibcode=2013AtmRe.123..117P }}</ref>

In addition to ground-based lightning detection, several instruments aboard satellites have been constructed to observe lightning distribution. Some of the first satellite-based observations were made in the late 1970s.<ref name="Christian2003">{{cite journal |last1=Christian |first1=Hugh J. |last2=Blakeslee |first2=Richard J. |last3=Boccippio |first3=Dennis J. |last4=Boeck |first4=William L. |last5=Buechler |first5=Dennis E. |last6=Driscoll |first6=Kevin T. |last7=Goodman |first7=Steven J. |last8=Hall |first8=John M. |last9=Koshak |first9=William J. |last10=Mach |first10=Douglas M. |last11=Stewart |first11=Michael F. |title=Global frequency and distribution of lightning as observed from space by the Optical Transient Detector |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres |date=2003 |volume=108 |issue=D1 |pages=ACL 4–1–ACL 4–15 |doi=10.1029/2002JD002347|bibcode=2003JGRD..108.4005C }}</ref> The global and tropical long-term [[climatology]] of lightning has been observed by the Optical Transient Detector (OTD), aboard the OrbView-1 satellite launched on April 3, 1995, and the subsequent Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) aboard [[TRMM]] launched on November 28, 1997.<ref name="n1">{{cite web| url=http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/data/| title=NASA Dataset Information| access-date=September 11, 2007| publisher=NASA| date=2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915074014/http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/data/| archive-date=September 15, 2007| df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="n2">{{cite web|url=http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/data/lisbrowse.html|title=NASA LIS Images|access-date=September 11, 2007|publisher=NASA|date=2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012171040/http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/data/lisbrowse.html|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="n3">{{cite web| url=http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/data/otdbrowse.html| title=NASA OTD Images| access-date=September 11, 2007| publisher=NASA| date=2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012171045/http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/data/otdbrowse.html| archive-date=October 12, 2007| df=mdy-all}}</ref> In addition, the [[ISS]] carried a LIS instrument for three years from March 2017.<ref name="Blakeslee2020">{{cite journal |last1=Blakeslee |first1=Richard J. |last2=Lang |first2=Timothy J. |last3=Koshak |first3=William J. |last4=Buechler |first4=Dennis |last5=Gatlin |first5=Patrick |last6=Mach |first6=Douglas M. |last7=Stano |first7=Geoffrey T. |last8=Virts |first8=Katrina S. |last9=Walker |first9=Thomas Daniel |last10=Cecil |first10=Daniel J. |last11=Ellett |first11=Will |last12=Goodman |first12=Steven J. |last13=Harrison |first13=Sherry |last14=Hawkins |first14=Donald L. |last15=Heumesser |first15=Matthias |last16=Lin |first16=Hong |last17=Maskey |first17=Manil |last18=Schultz |first18=Christopher J. |last19=Stewart |first19=Michael |last20=Bateman |first20=Monte |last21=Chanrion |first21=Olivier |last22=Christian |first22=Hugh |title=Three Years of the Lightning Imaging Sensor Onboard the International Space Station: Expanded Global Coverage and Enhanced Applications |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres |date=2020 |volume=125 |issue=16 |pages=e2020JD032918 |doi=10.1029/2020JD032918|bibcode=2020JGRD..12532918B |url=https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/218541094/2020JD032918_1.pdf }}</ref>

Starting in 2016, the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] launched Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite–R Series (GOES-R) weather satellites outfitted with [[Geostationary Lightning Mapper]] (GLM) instruments which are near-infrared optical transient detectors that can detect the momentary changes in an optical scene, indicating the presence of lightning.<ref>{{cite web |title=GLM │ GOES-R Series |url=https://www.goes-r.gov/spacesegment/glm.html |website=www.goes-r.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sima |first1=Richard |title=Mapping Lightning Strikes from Space |url=https://eos.org/articles/mapping-lightning-strikes-from-space |work=Eos |date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> The lightning detection data can be converted into a real-time map of lightning activity across the Western Hemisphere; this mapping technique has been implemented by the United States [[National Weather Service]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bruning |first1=Eric C. |last2=Tillier |first2=Clemens E. |last3=Edgington |first3=Samantha F. |last4=Rudlosky |first4=Scott D. |last5=Zajic |first5=Joe |last6=Gravelle |first6=Chad |last7=Foster |first7=Matt |last8=Calhoun |first8=Kristin M. |last9=Campbell |first9=P. Adrian |last10=Stano |first10=Geoffrey T. |last11=Schultz |first11=Christopher J. |last12=Meyer |first12=Tiffany C. |title=Meteorological Imagery for the Geostationary Lightning Mapper |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres |date=2019 |volume=124 |issue=24 |pages=14285–14309 |doi=10.1029/2019JD030874 |bibcode=2019JGRD..12414285B |doi-access=free |hdl=2346/95772 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> At the end of 2022, EUMETSAT launched the Lightning Imager (MTG-LI) on board the Meteosat Third Generation.<ref name="MTG-LI">{{cite web |title=Lightning Imager's data debut in time for storm season {{!}} EUMETSAT |url=https://www.eumetsat.int/lightning-imagers-data-debut-time-storm-season |website=www.eumetsat.int |access-date=30 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref> This  complements NOAA's GLM as MTG-LI will observe Europe and Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lightning Imager |url=https://www.eumetsat.int/mtg-lightning-imager |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=EUMETSAT |date=May 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714105714/https://www.eumetsat.int/mtg-lightning-imager |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Artificial triggering ===
* '''Rocket-triggered''' 
*: Lightning can be "triggered" by launching [[lightning rocket|specially designed rockets]] trailing spools of wire into thunderstorms. The wire unwinds as the rocket ascends, creating an elevated ground that can attract descending leaders. If a leader attaches, the wire provides a low-resistance pathway for a lightning flash to occur. The wire is vaporized by the return current flow, creating a straight lightning plasma channel in its place. This method allows for scientific research of lightning to occur under a more controlled and predictable manner.<ref name="vid">{{cite web|url=http://skydiary.com/gallery/chase2002/2002lightmovie.html|title=Triggered lightning video|access-date=September 24, 2007|publisher=Chris Kridler's Sky Diary|date=July 25, 2002|author=Kridler, Chris|work=requires QuickTime|format=video|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915074527/http://skydiary.com/gallery/chase2002/2002lightmovie.html|archive-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref> The International Center for Lightning Research and Testing (ICLRT) at Camp Blanding, Florida typically uses rocket triggered lightning in their research studies.
* '''Laser-triggered'''
*: Since the 1970s,<ref name="since the 1970s"/> researchers have attempted to trigger lightning strikes by means of infrared or ultraviolet lasers, which create a channel of ionized gas through which the lightning would be conducted to ground. Such triggering of lightning is intended to protect rocket launching pads, electric power facilities, and other sensitive targets.<ref>{{cite web | title = UNM researchers use lasers to guide lightning| publisher = Campus News, The [[University of New Mexico]]| date = January 29, 2001| url = http://panda.unm.edu/AcadAdv/lightning.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120709023513/http://panda.unm.edu/AcadAdv/lightning.html | archive-date = July 9, 2012 | access-date = July 28, 2007}}</ref><ref name="njop">{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1088/1367-2630/4/1/361| title = Laser-triggered lightning discharge| journal = New Journal of Physics| volume = 4| issue = 1| page = 61| year = 2002| last1 = Khan | first1 = N. | last2 = Mariun | first2 = N. | last3 = Aris | first3 = I. | last4 = Yeak | first4 = J. |bibcode = 2002NJPh....4...61K | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="joot">{{Cite journal |doi=10.1364/JOT.66.000194 |title=Laboratory tests of laser-induced lightning discharge |journal=Journal of Optical Technology |volume=66 |issue=3 |pages=194–198 |date=1999 |first1=P. |last1=Rambo |first2=J. |last2=Biegert |first3=V. |last3=Kubecek |first4=J. |last4=Schwarz |first5=A. |last5=Bernstein |first6=J.-C. |last6=Diels |first7=R. |last7=Bernstein |name-list-style=amp |first8=K. |last8=Stahlkopf |bibcode=1999JOptT..66..194R }}</ref><ref name="apl">{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1063/1.1829165| title = Triggering and guiding of megavolt discharges by laser-induced filaments under rain conditions| journal = Applied Physics Letters| volume = 85| issue = 23| page = 5781| year = 2004| last1 = Ackermann | first1 = R.| last2 = Stelmaszczyk | first2 = K.| last3 = Rohwetter | first3 = P.| last4 = MéJean | first4 = G.| last5 = Salmon | first5 = E.| last6 = Yu | first6 = J.| last7 = Kasparian | first7 = J.| last8 = MéChain | first8 = G.| last9 = Bergmann | first9 = V.| last10 = Schaper | first10 = S.| last11 = Weise | first11 = B.| last12 = Kumm | first12 = T.| last13 = Rethmeier | first13 = K.| last14 = Kalkner | first14 = W.| last15 = WöSte | first15 = L.| last16 = Wolf | first16 = J. P.|bibcode = 2004ApPhL..85.5781A }}</ref><ref name="osaka">{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/0021-9169(94)00073-W| title = A possible way to trigger lightning using a laser| journal = Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics| volume = 57| issue = 5| page = 459| year = 1995| last1 = Wang | first1 = D.| last2 = Ushio | first2 = T.| last3 = Kawasaki | first3 = Z. -I. | last4 = Matsuura | first4 = K.| last5 = Shimada | first5 = Y.| last6 = Uchida | first6 = S.| last7 = Yamanaka | first7 = C.| last8 = Izawa | first8 = Y.| last9 = Sonoi | first9 = Y.| last10 = Simokura | first10 = N.|bibcode = 1995JATP...57..459W }}</ref>
*: In New Mexico, U.S., scientists tested a new [[terawatt]] laser which provoked lightning. Scientists fired ultra-fast pulses from an extremely powerful laser thus sending several terawatts into the clouds to call down electrical discharges in storm clouds over the region. The laser beams sent from the laser make channels of ionized molecules known as ''filaments''. Before the lightning strikes earth, the filaments lead electricity through the clouds, playing the role of lightning rods. Researchers generated filaments that lived a period too short to trigger a real lightning strike. Nevertheless, a boost in electrical activity within the clouds was registered. According to the French and German scientists who ran the experiment, the fast pulses sent from the laser will be able to provoke lightning strikes on demand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://infoniac.com/science/terawatt-laser-beam-shot-clouds-provokes-lightning-strike.html |title=Terawatt Laser Beam Shot in the Clouds Provokes Lightning Strike |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420130439/http://infoniac.com/science/terawatt-laser-beam-shot-clouds-provokes-lightning-strike.html |archive-date=April 20, 2008  |access-date=April 17, 2008 }} News report based on: {{Cite journal | doi = 10.1364/OE.16.005757 | pmid = 18542684 | title = Electric events synchronized with laser filaments in thunderclouds | journal = Optics Express | volume = 16 | issue = 8 | pages = 5757–63 | year = 2008 | last1 = Kasparian | first1 = J. | last2 = Ackermann | first2 = R. | last3 = André | first3 = Y. B. | last4 = Méchain | first4 = G. G. | last5 = Méjean | first5 = G. | last6 = Prade | first6 = B. | last7 = Rohwetter | first7 = P. | last8 = Salmon | first8 = E. | last9 = Stelmaszczyk | first9 = K. | last10 = Yu | first10 = J. | last11 = Mysyrowicz | first11 = A. | last12 = Sauerbrey | first12 = R. | last13 = Woeste | first13 = L. | last14 = Wolf | first14 = J. P. | bibcode = 2008OExpr..16.5757K | url = https://www.osapublishing.org/oe/abstract.cfm?uri=oe-16-8-5757 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Statistical analysis showed that their laser pulses indeed enhanced the electrical activity in the thundercloud where it was aimed—in effect they generated small local discharges located at the position of the [[plasma channel]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newswise.com/articles/view/539709/ |title=Laser Triggers Electrical Activity in Thunderstorm for the First Time |work=Newswise |access-date=August 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220100906/http://newswise.com/articles/view/539709/ |archive-date=December 20, 2008  }} News report based on {{Harvard citation no brackets|Kasparian|Ackermann|André|Méchain|Méjean|Prade|Rohwetter|Salmon|Stelmaszczyk|Yu|Mysyrowicz|Sauerbrey|Woeste|Wolf|2008|pp=5757–5763}}</ref>