Objective
Lightning strikes earth 45 times each second, but we still don’t understand exactly what initiates it. The large electric fields in thunderclouds are also responsible for charged particle acceleration, ultimately leading to gamma-ray production. Energetic radiation is an essential component of thundercloud dynamics. Energetic radiation and lightning discharge appear tightly linked, but the nature of this link is yet to be understood.
ENLIGHTEN posits a causal relationship between energetic radiation and lightning initiation. Combining novel time-resolved gamma-ray imaging of thunderclouds with simultaneous lightning discharge imaging in the radio band, we aim to establish the causal mechanisms which initiate lightning and, in doing so, address one of the longest standing unsolved questions in atmospheric electricity.
Overarching hypothesis: lightning initiation is triggered by electron avalanches conducive to gamma-ray production.
To test this hypothesis, we identify three research objectives:
1. Mapping the spatio-temporal evolution of intense large-scale electric fields in tropical thunderclouds.
2. Imaging in gamma-rays of the newly discovered sub-second gamma-ray transients - flickering gamma-flashes and glow bursts.
3. Quantify the runaway electron avalanche discharge co-located with lightning initiation.
ENLIGHTEN will achieve its objectives with a methodology which combines:
a) time-resolved gamma-ray imaging of thunderclouds,
b) time-resolved lightning imaging in the radio band,
c) use of a high-altitude research aircraft,
d) data analysis and modelling.
Thunderclouds are the birthplace of a large variety of particle and gamma-ray phenomena, not to be considered just exotic and rare, but intrinsic and fundamental for thunderclouds. With 3 million lightning per day affecting life on planet Earth, unravelling the secrets of how gamma-ray emissions is linked to this common phenomenon is of great importance for the mankind.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
5020 Bergen
Norway
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.