The mesospheric inversion layer and sprites

TL;DR

This study investigates the relationship between mesospheric inversion layers and sprites, suggesting that gravity waves from thunderstorms influence both phenomena, supported by temperature and sprite observations in France.

Contribution

It proposes a novel link between mesospheric inversion layers and sprites, highlighting the role of gravity waves in their formation based on observational data.

Findings

Evidence of MIL on sprite days

Sprites can occur without MIL evidence

Gravity waves influence MIL and sprite production

Abstract

The vertical structure of temperature observed by SABER (Sounding of Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) aboard TIMED (Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics) and sprites observations made during the Eurosprite 2003 to 2007 observational campaign were analyzed. Sprite observations were made at two locations in France, namely Puy de Dome in the French Massif Central and at the Pic du Midi in the French Pyrenees. It is observed that the vertical structure of temperature shows evidence for a Mesospheric Inversion Layer (MIL) on those days on which sprites were observed. A few events are also reported in which sprites were not recorded, although there is evidence of a MIL in the vertical structure of the temperature. It is proposed that breaking gravity waves produced by convective thunderstorms facilitate the production of (a) sprites by modulating the neutral air-density and (b) MILs via the deposition of energy. The same proposition has been used to explain observations of lightings as well as both MILs and lightning arising out of deep convections.