Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-28-2025
Abstract
Lightning waveforms in the low frequency (LF; 30–300 kHz) and the very low frequency (VLF; 3–30 kHz) bands can be exploited to produce data-driven ionospheric D-region electron density profile (EDP) estimates with significantly higher spatial and temporal coverage than previously available. The lightning waveforms used in this paper are signals detected in the LF/VLF of negative cloud-to-ground lightning by the Earth Networks Total Lightning Detection Network. Each waveform contains a ground wave and a time-delayed ionospheric reflection. The time delay between the ground wave and ionospheric reflection has previously been used to estimate a single specular reflection altitude, where LF/VLF emissions are reflected by the ionosphere. Here, we expand upon previous methods to include filtering and spectral analysis, and account for oblique propagation to produce higher-order estimates for reflection altitudes and corresponding electron densities. Once estimated, reflection altitudes and corresponding electron densities can be used to derive parameters β and h′, which define an EDP for the D-region. In this study, the lightning waveform (LW) analysis is demonstrated using a single representative 24-h dataset over the Southeast United States, and then extended to a total of 10 separate datasets with varying locations and ionospheric conditions. The LW-derived D-region EDPs are in agreement with predictions made by the Faraday International Reference Ionosphere model, and the LW EDPs β and h′ values are consistent with previous LF/VLF-derived estimates.
Source Publication
Advances in Space Research (ISSN 0273-1177)
Recommended Citation
Smith, W. R., Lay, E. H., Fitch, K. E., & Emmons, D. J. (2025). Analyzing LF/VLF lightning waveforms to estimate D-region electron density profiles. Advances in Space Research, JASR 18343. (article in press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2025.04.060
Comments
© 2025 The Authors.
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