Detection of high-energy gamma rays from winter thunderclouds

TL;DR

This study reports the first clear evidence that thunderclouds can accelerate electrons beyond 10 MeV, producing gamma-ray bursts prior to lightning, observed during a strong thunderstorm over the Sea of Japan.

Contribution

It provides the first direct ground-based observation of high-energy gamma-ray emission from thunderclouds, confirming electron acceleration to relativistic energies before lightning.

Findings

Gamma-ray burst lasted about 40 seconds

Emission spectrum extended up to 10 MeV

Electrons accelerated beyond 10 MeV in thunderclouds

Abstract

A report is made on a comprehensive observation of a burst-like $\gamma$-ray emission from thunderclouds on the Sea of Japan, during strong thunderstorms on 2007 January 6. The detected emission, lasting for $\sim$40 seconds, preceded cloud-to-ground lightning discharges. The burst spectrum, extending to 10 MeV, can be interpreted as consisting of bremsstrahlung photons originating from relativistic electrons. This ground-based observation provides first clear evidence that strong electric fields in thunderclouds can continuously accelerate electrons beyond 10 MeV prior to lightning discharges.