The atmospheric global electric circuit: An overview

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding the Global Electric Circuit (GEC), emphasizing observational methods, the roles of various generators, and the influence of aerosols and cosmic rays, while highlighting unresolved questions for future research.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent observational progress and critically examines the mechanisms and factors influencing the GEC, including aerosols and cosmic rays.

Findings

Advances in satellite and ground-based lightning observations

Identification of key generators influencing the GEC

Discussion of aerosols and cosmic rays' roles in GEC regulation

Abstract

Research work in the area of the Global Electric Circuit (GEC) has rapidly expanded in recent years mainly through observations of lightning from satellites and ground-based networks and observations of optical emissions between cloud and the ionosphere. After reviewing this progress, we critically examine the role of various generators of the currents flowing in the lower and upper atmosphere and supplying currents to the GEC. The role of aerosols and cosmic rays in controlling the GEC and linkage between climate, solarterrestrial relationships and the GEC has been briefly discussed. Some unsolved problems in this area are reported for future investigations.