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1. The RELAMPAGO Lightning Mapping Array: Overview and Initial Comparison with the Geostationary Lightning Mapper

   https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-20-0005.1  

   Lang, Timothy J.; Ávila, Eldo E.; Blakeslee, Richard J.; Burchfield, Jeff; Wingo, Matthew; Bitzer, Phillip M.; Carey, Lawrence D.; Deierling, Wiebke; Goodman, Steven J.; Medina, Bruno Lisboa; et al (August 2020, Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology)

   Abstract During November 2018–April 2019, an 11-station very high frequency (VHF) Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) was deployed to Córdoba Province, Argentina. The purpose of the LMA was validation of the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), but the deployment was coordinated with two field campaigns. The LMA observed 2.9 million flashes (≥ five sources) during 163 days, and level-1 (VHF locations), level-2 (flashes classified), and level-3 (gridded products) datasets have been made public. The network’s performance allows scientifically useful analysis within 100 km when at least seven stations were active. Careful analysis beyond 100 km is also possible. The LMA dataset includes many examples of intense storms with extremely high flash rates (>1 s−1), electrical discharges in overshooting tops (OTs), as well as anomalously charged thunderstorms with low-altitude lightning. The modal flash altitude was 10 km, but many flashes occurred at very high altitude (15–20 km). There were also anomalous and stratiform flashes near 5–7 km in altitude. Most flashes were small (<50 km2 area). Comparisons with GLM on 14 and 20 December 2018 indicated that GLM most successfully detected larger flashes (i.e., more than 100 VHF sources), with detection efficiency (DE) up to 90%. However, GLM DE was reduced for flashes that were smaller or that occurred lower in the cloud (e.g., near 6-km altitude). GLM DE also was reduced during a period of OT electrical discharges. Overall, GLM DE was a strong function of thunderstorm evolution and the dominant characteristics of the lightning it produced. 

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2. The Impacts of Lightning Beyond the Troposphere

   https://doi.org/10.3847/25c2cfeb.1cd28060  

   Cohen, Morris; Kosar, Burcu; Halford, Alexa; Ringuette, Rebecca; Silva, Caitano da; Bortnik, Jacob; Cohen, Morris; Smith, David; Dwyer, Joe; Morales, Carlos; et al (August 2023, Bulletin American Astronomical Society)

   AAS (Ed.)

   We propose that the upcoming Decadal Survey on Solar and Space Physics describe prominent contributions of lightning and its impacts beyond the troposphere, particularly within the NASA Heliophysics portfolio. We present a brief review of several topics highly relevant to NSF and NASA. We opt to unify these topics into one white paper, with longer reviews/references included. 

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3. Returning Lightning Data to the Cloud

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2020EO142801  

   Cohen, Morris (April 2020, Eos)

   Scientists are assembling an online database with decades of low-frequency radio measurements collected worldwide to facilitate modern research about lightning, space weather, and more. 

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4. Lightning Distance Estimation Using LF Lightning Radio Signals via Analytical and Machine-Learned Models

   https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2020.2972153  

   Antunes de Sa, Andre L.; Marshall, Robert A. (August 2020, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing)

   null (Ed.)
5. When Lightning Strikes: Insect and Fungal Responses to Lightning in a Lowland Tropical Forest

   https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.2231  

   Lawhorn, Kane A; Richards, Jeannine H; Gora, Evan M; Burchfield, Jeffrey C; Bitzer, Phillip M; Gutierrez, Cesar; Yanoviak, Stephen P (April 2025, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America)