Atmospheric Gamma-ray Observations at the Telescope Array Detector

Previously in AtmoHead-2018, we reported joint observations by Telescope Array Surface Detector (TASD), Lightning Mapping Array (LMA), sferic sensor and broadband interferometer of particle showers coincident with lightning. These consisted of energetic showers of approximately less than 10 microsecond duration with footprints on the ground of 3-6 kilometers in diameter, originating in the first one to two milliseconds of downward lightning leaders and coincident with high-current processes within the leaders. Scintillator waveform and simulation studies confirmed that these showers must consist primarily of gamma radiation.

On September 11, 2021, atmospheric discharges emitting gamma rays were, for the first time, recorded by a high-speed camera and by lightning detectors on the ground simultaneously. The events were detected by the Telescope Array located in the Utah desert and were filmed by the Phantom v2012 camera, set at an acquisition rate of 40,000 frames per second (fps) in conjunction with the Lightning Mapping Array (LMA), an interferometer, a fast antenna, and the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Results from this study reported the new observation of several events of significantly longer duration and higher uence, bridging the gap between the TASD and satellite-based detections. These events further demonstrate the similarity between the upward and downward TGF varieties and the likelihood of a common origin for their production.