In a first-of-its-kind experiment, a group of scientists have captured images of thunder. The research is expected to help scientists understand which physical procedures of the lightning discharge contribute to the thunder. They have visually captured sound waves that were created using artificially triggered lightning. One of the researchers, Maher Dayeh, was of the view, “While we understand the general mechanics of thunder generation, it’s not particularly clear which physical processes of the lightning discharge contribute to the thunder we wear. A listener perceives thunder largely based upon the distance from lightning”.
Dayeh said that when a listener is nearby then thunder has a sharp sound and when he is at a great distance then it has a long-lasting nature. Under these circumstances, the phenomena as per the researchers could be well studied using triggered events.
The study researchers conducted an experiment in which launched a small rocket having a grounded copper wire attached to it into thunder clouds. Main aim behind this step was to have a conductive channel and provide a predictable path for a lightning strike.
The researchers even developed a specialized array of microphones, so that the acoustic signature of the thunder could be imagined. Dayeh designed the microphones and there were 15 of them, each spaced a meter apart. Initially, the researchers though that the experiment has failed. But the image became clearer when Dayeh looked at the higher sound frequencies. In the images, complete procedure can be seen.
