Tropical Thunderstorms Reveal Unexpected Gamma-Ray Activity

Recent studies using NASA's ER-2 aircraft uncover diverse and frequent gamma-ray emissions in storm clouds, challenging previous assumptions.

NASA's ER-2 aircraft detected gamma-ray emissions in nine out of ten flights over tropical storms, indicating these occurrences are more common than previously thought.
Scientists identified new forms of gamma-ray emissions, including flickering gamma-ray flashes, which may play a role in lightning formation.
Gamma-ray glows, lasting from seconds to minutes, were observed over large areas, contradicting earlier findings of their rarity and uniformity.
Two previously unrecorded types of gamma-ray bursts were discovered, adding complexity to the understanding of storm-related radiation.
The findings suggest a potential link between gamma-ray emissions and the initiation of lightning, offering new insights into storm cloud dynamics.