Scientific Colloquium
March 26, 2010
GERALD
FISHMAN
MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
"Space-borne
Observations of Intense Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) above Thunderstorms
"
Intense millisecond flashes of MeV
photons have been observed with space-borne detectors. These
terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) were discovered with the Burst and
Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) aboard the Compton Gamma-Ray
Observatory (CGRO) in the early 1990s. They are now being observed with
several other instruments, including the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM)
detectors on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Although Fermi-GBM
was designed and optimized for the observation of cosmic gamma-ray
bursts (GRBs), it has unprecedented capabilities for TGF observations.
The TGFs have extremely hard continuous spectra, typical of
highly-Comptonized bremsstrahlung radiation. These spectral are harder
than those of GRBs, with photons extending to over 40 MeV. The most
likely origin of these high-energy photons is bremsstrahlung radiation
produced by a “runaway avalanche”, relativistic electron beam. Such a
beam is expected to be produced in an extended, intense electric field
in or above thunderstorm regions. The altitude of origin and beaming
characteristics of the radiation are quite uncertain. These TGFs may
produce an appreciable radiation dose to passengers and crew in nearby
aircraft. They have generated considerable observational and
theoretical interest in recent years. Instruments are being designed
specifically for TGF observations from new spacecraft as well as from
airborne platforms.