In a bold move that merges the worlds of aviation and meteorology, NASA pilots have taken to the skies and flown a high-altitude science aircraft directly into thunderstorms. This daring operation was part of an international scientific effort to gather unprecedented data on gamma-ray flashes, a high-energy phenomenon associated with thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are known to create powerful updrafts and downdrafts, accelerating air and water to high speeds and generating electric fields that produce lightning. Under certain conditions, these storms also emit gamma rays – the shortest and most energetic waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

With the goal of deepening our understanding of these gamma-ray flashes, the team of scientists flew NASA’s ER-2 aircraft as close as safety would allow to thunderclouds reaching heights of up to 10 miles. This mission, carried out by researchers from the University of Bergen, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and three NASA centers, allowed for the collection of the most detailed airborne analysis of gamma rays and thunderclouds to date. Such data could potentially provide critical insights into the intensification of storms and offer valuable lead time to keep the public safe from lightning threats.

NASA Pilots Fly Into Thunderstorms to Study Gamma-Ray Flashes

The world of thunderstorms has been further unveiled as NASA pilots undertook a daring flight into these weather systems. The mission aimed to gather detailed data on gamma-ray flashes produced by the storms, aiming to improve our understanding of these powerful natural phenomena.

Understanding Thunderstorms and Gamma Rays

Thunderstorms are known to create strong updrafts and downdrafts, which can accelerate air and water to high speeds. This results in the collision of ice crystals, stripping away electrons and generating electric fields that produce lightning. In certain conditions, these free electrons can also create flashes of gamma rays — the shortest and most energetic waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. Thunderstorms can emit two types of gamma-ray radiation: short gamma-ray flashes and longer gamma-ray glows that can persist for minutes to hours.

Daring Flight for Science

To delve deeper into these phenomena, an international group of scientists used NASA’s high-altitude ER-2 aircraft to fly as close to thunderclouds as safely possible. These clouds reached up to 10 miles high. This daring effort led to the most detailed airborne analysis of gamma rays and thunderclouds ever recorded, according to NASA’s Marshall Flight Center in Alabama.

International Collaboration and Instrumentation

The study, known as ALOFT, involved researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and three different NASA centers. The team used a unique gamma-ray detector developed at the University of Bergen that allowed real-time data collection, guiding pilots towards active gamma-ray-emitting thunderclouds. In addition, the onboard Fly’s Eye GLM Simulator captured data in the near-infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths emitted by lightning, invisible to current satellites.

The High-Altitude ER-2 Aircraft

NASA’s ER-2 aircraft, one of only two in the agency’s possession, played a crucial role in the study. This high-altitude plane, which can fly above 99% of Earth’s atmosphere, has a rich history, having been used in various studies since it was acquired by NASA in the 1980s.

Takeaways

The data gathered from the ALOFT program could potentially enhance our understanding of thunderstorms and their strengthening patterns, providing extra lead time for public safety measures. This venture is an exciting example of how daring scientific exploration can result in potentially life-saving knowledge. It’s also a testament to international collaboration and technological innovation, reminding us of the importance of investing in science and research.