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Regarding lightning ( and sprites, elves, halos )

Subject: Regarding lightning ( and sprites, elves, halos )
From: "Thomas Ashcraft" heliotown27
Date: Tue Nov 2, 2010 6:13 am ((PDT))
Hi.
.
Some of my nature recording extends into the realm of lightning and 
transient luminous events ( sprites) but audio-wise it is mostly radio 
oriented and non-microphonal.

This past year I did a lot of work with sprites, elves and halos which 
are very ephemeral and hard to capture.  The existence of sprites has 
only been proven since 1989.  Info on sprites from wikipedia here:   
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_%28lightning%29

Maybe some of you folks have gotten millisecond glimmers of visual 
sprites above far distant thunderstorm cells?

I did some of the work at ELF/VLF (extremely low frequency) in 
conjunction with my all-sky video camera.  At ELF/VLF sprites produce 
"clicks" and intricate  electrical "splattering" from their discharges.

But, (eureka!), I have made a discovery.  I discovered that sprites will 
reflect analog very high frequency transmitters off of their ionization 
and plasma columns as they extend 90 kms into the sky. The reflections 
are unambiguous.

My best VHF sprite recording specimen:
http://www.heliotown.com/SPvhfAug032010_044340ut_Ashcraft.mp4

Page of sprite captures:
http://www.heliotown.com/Sprites_and_Radio_Emissions.html

ELF/VLF sprites:
http://www.heliotown.com/Transient_Luminous_Events.html  ( movie at 
bottom of page)
http://www.heliotown.com/SpJune162010_090011mag_Ashcraft.mp4
:

Mini lightning ( non-sprite) movies and sound at VLF/ELF with a McGreevy 
WR3-E:
http://www.heliotown.com/Lightning_Ashcraft.html
:

Thomas  |  New Mexico

Thomas Ashcraft
www.heliotown.com








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