by Dr. Walter A. Lyons of Forensic Meteorology Associates
from Ft. Collins, CO.
His lecture brought to mind the sporadic "E" layer events
Amateur Radio Operators experience occasionally. While little is
known about the cause of "E" layer events, I speculate the subject
of his lecture may affect the "E" layer.
His presentation was about a phenomenon termed "Sprites", which
are huge bursts of energy exiting the top of large thunderstorms.
Some of these bursts of energy have been estimated to reach 100KM
above the storm. He presented video and electronic measurements
to verify these events.
The first known recording of a "Sprite" event was made by
chance at the University of Minnesota 1989 while testing a
image-intensified video camera.
Dr. Lyons indicated this field of research is wide open
because very little is known about "Sprites". Each time the
scientists gear up for a particular set of "Sprite" measurements,
they uncover something else previously un-noticed. He inferred
that these events could have world-wide effects, not just in the
area of the thunderstorm.
I would suggest if you get the chance to attend one of his
lectures, do so. It is very fascinating. Perhaps someone who is
researching "E" layer dynamics can make a positive connection
between "Sprites" and "E" layer phenomenon.
Regards to all, Lester