Gamma radiation is produced in large tropical thunderstorms, observations reveal
Recent research shows that large tropical thunderstorms continuously produce gamma radiation, with over half being radioactive. New gamma ray bursts were identified, but radiation levels are safe for aircraft.
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Recent research has revealed that large tropical thunderstorms produce a surprising amount and variety of gamma radiation. Initially detected by NASA satellites in the 1990s, these high-energy gamma rays were linked to thunderstorms, but their frequency and dynamics remained unclear. A team of scientists utilized a NASA ER-2 high-altitude aircraft to conduct detailed observations over tropical storms south of Florida. Their findings, published in two papers in Nature, indicate that nearly all significant thunderstorms generate gamma rays continuously in various forms. The research demonstrated that the electric fields created within these storms can accelerate charged particles, leading to nuclear reactions that produce gamma radiation. The study also identified new types of gamma radiation bursts, some occurring spontaneously and not directly associated with lightning. The researchers concluded that more than half of tropical thunderstorms are radioactive, and the low-level gamma radiation may help regulate energy buildup within the storms. Despite the high-energy processes involved, the radiation levels are not a concern for aircraft safety, as the radiation is only dangerous close to its source.
- Large tropical thunderstorms produce significant gamma radiation.
- Nearly all major thunderstorms generate gamma rays continuously.
- New types of gamma radiation bursts were identified, some occurring spontaneously.
- More than half of tropical thunderstorms are believed to be radioactive.
- The radiation levels pose no danger to aircraft flying at safe distances.
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12 commentsHall's theories are well outside of the mainstream and I don't know his credentials, if any, and cannot speak to his hypothesis's veracity. I'm not a scientist. Would any actual scientists care to comment?
Here is a video where he explains his theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU706V0bltc
Or put another way, 150 MV. What's with this media obsession with using obscure non-SI units?
TIL carbon nano yarn absorbs electricity, probably from storm clouds too.
What are the volt and charge observations for lightning from large tropical thunderstorms?
(And why is it dangerous to attract arc discharge toward a local attractor? And what sort of supercapacitors and anodes can handle charge from a lightning bolt? Lightning!)
Tardigrades can handle Gamma radiation.
"Researchers create new type of composite material for shielding against neutron and gamma radiation" (2024) https://phys.org/news/2024-05-composite-material-shielding-n... :
"Sm2O3 micron plates/B4C/HDPE composites containing high specific surface area fillers for neutron and gamma-ray complex radiation shielding" https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S02663...
these energy ejections are SO powerful, they temporarily cause miniature aurora displays for a split second, by ionizing the same layer of the atmosphere where they appear. it's amazing to see photos of it.
So many of our plants and flowers (here in North America) originate from rainforests and tropical latitudes, but survive at current temps for northern latitudes.
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