Christopher Zuelsdorf Honors Portfolio

Christopher Zuelsdorf\u27s honors portfolio captured in January 2020

Inner radiation belt electron lifetimes due to whistler-induced electron precipitation (WEP) driven losses

Wave-particle interactions driven by whistler mode waves in the inner Van Allan belt is an important loss process for the energetic electrons found in this region. In this paper we seek to investigate the significance of Whistler-Induced Electron Precipitation (WEP) to inner belt electron lifetimes, by combining experimental satellite results, ionospheric remote observations, and global lightning distributions. We find that long-term WEP driven losses at L = 2.23 are more significant than all other inner radiation belt loss processes for electron kinetic energies in the range 40–350 keV. This suggests a faster depletion rate and thus lower lifetimes than previously calculated. Thunderstorm generated whistlers are an important factor for determining the lifetimes of medium energy electrons in the inner belt

Red sprites, upward lightning, and VLF perturbations

In the last decade there has been a great deal of interest in the detection and understanding of phenomena occurring above active thunderstorms. The discovery of the optical phenomena now termed “red sprites” is discussed, along with the properties that have been experimentally determined. Areas of disagreement between experimentalists are pointed out. Other optical and electromagnetic phenomena associated with red sprites are presented. These include blue jets, transionospheric pulse pairs, and gamma ray flashes. Particular attention is given to the work on perturbations on very low frequency radio wave transmissions (“VLF sprites”), which has provided estimates of the electrical properties of sprites. Research into activity above thunderstorms will continue to lead to a greater understanding of the coupling between thunderstorms in the troposphere to the stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere, and beyond