These radiate strongly but are continuous, not impulsive. As the lightning streaks across the sky, it ionizes new points in the air. In effect, the transmitter is moving through the sky, sending a new signal from each point. Each is recorded and, when the storm is reconstructed in a computer, becomes an individual point in a three-dimensional grid. The points are color coded to help the human eye follow a bolt's path across the sky.
Scientists discuss biology, safety, and statistics of lightning strikes.
Poster papers on hurricanes and tornadoes summarized. Thunderstorms generate elusive and mysterious sprites. Preview of the 11th International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity. The data plots also can be used to show where lightning occurs most often within a storm, matching lightning activity to storm structure, including convection. The results are impressive and highly promising, Rison said.