Comment on "NOx production in laboratory discharges simulating blue jets and red sprites" by H. Peterson et al

TL;DR

This paper critiques Peterson et al.'s laboratory experiments on NOx production in sprites and blue jets, highlighting methodological errors, incorrect comparisons, and a significant calculation mistake affecting their conclusions.

Contribution

It identifies critical errors in Peterson et al.'s study, clarifying the limitations of their experimental approach and correcting a major computational mistake.

Findings

Errors in current density and volume comparisons

Incorrect assumptions about discharge similarity

A six-order magnitude calculation error

Abstract

Peterson et al. [2009] intend to determine the NOx production of sprites and blue jets from laboratory experiments. Sprite discharges are known to be physically similar to streamer discharges at standard temperature and pressure. However, streamer experiments that simulate geophysical discharges require voltage pulses of one polarity, in contrast to the oscillating voltages of Peterson et al. Furthermore, Peterson et al. make errors in their comparison of current densities, sprite volumes and gas densities. Finally, there is a calculation error of 6 orders of magnitude in an important result.