Karlsruhe 2024 – scientific programme

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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik

T 107: Cosmic rays 7

T 107.3: Talk

Friday, March 8, 2024, 09:30–09:45, Geb. 20.30: 2.059

Adding interferometric lightning detection to the Pierre Auger Observatory — •Melanie Joan Weitz for the Pierre-Auger collaboration — Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, 42119 Wuppertal, Germany

The Pierre Auger Observatory has detected high-energy events with its Surface Detector in times of thunderstorms. The observed events indicate a connection to terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs). A key to understanding this high-energy radiation in thunderstorms is to combine such measurements with measurements of lightning processes in their earliest stages. With small modifications of Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) stations we can build an interferometric detector to precisely measure the lightning stepped leaders in 3D. This will allow us to decipher atmospheric high-energy models and clarify the reason for the observed high-energy particles in thunderstorms. We will demonstrate the capabilities of the current stations for lightning measurements and show the status of the current detection plans.

*Gefördert durch die BMBF Verbundforschung Astroteilchenphysik (Vorhaben 05A23PX1)

Keywords: Cosmic rays; terrestrial gamma ray flashes; interferometric radio detection; lightning detection