Researchers measure X-rays from rare lightning for the first time
Published: Friday, Apr 26th 2024, 09:50
Back to Live Feed
Swiss researchers have captured X-rays from a special upward-facing flash for the first time. According to the scientists, this is crucial for risk reduction
"These observations contribute to a better understanding of upward-directed lightning, which is one of the main causes of damage to tall buildings such as wind turbines and telecommunications towers, as well as to aircraft during take-off and landing," the researchers led by Farhad Rachidi of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) wrote in the study, which was published in the journal "Scientific Reports".
Upward positive lightning is relatively rare. In contrast to the more common downward lightning flashes that flash from the clouds to the earth, they originate from a high-altitude object such as a building or a mountain peak and propagate in the direction of the clouds. When the tentacles of such lightning connect with the storm clouds, the positive charge of the clouds is transferred to the high-altitude object.
Particularly dangerous lightning
This type of lightning can be particularly dangerous as it remains in contact with a building or structure for longer than downward lightning, as the EPFL explained in a press release on the study on Friday. This allows more time for the electrical charge to be transferred, which can lead to greater damage.
The researchers measured the X-rays of such flashes on the Säntis. There is a 124-metre-high tower on the mountain peak in Appenzell, which, according to the researchers, provides ideal measurement conditions.
The actual mechanism by which lightning is triggered and propagates is still a mystery, according to the EPFL. However, measuring the X-rays of these flashes contributes to the understanding of this mechanism.
The observations on Säntis are not yet complete. Next, the scientists plan to add a microwave sensor to the tower's equipment in order to carry out further measurements.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic