Thread: lightning
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Old February 24th 15, 11:20 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.homebrew
Dave Platt[_2_] Dave Platt[_2_] is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Dec 2014
Posts: 67
Default lightning

In article , rickman wrote:

Very little FM, but as the EMF generated by lightning ranges from near
DC to gamma rays, you likely need to be a bit more specific.


Gamma rays...? Really?


Yup. First discovered over 20 years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrest...amma-ray_flash

I've seen more recent reports that suggest that the gamma-ray (and, I
think, X-ray) flux near a lighting stroke can be quite
strong... possibly enough to pose a health hazard to those nearby. It
was suggested that this could be another good reason for commercial
airplanes to avoid flying near thunderstorm cells. Although a
lightning stroke on an airplane does not generally present a shock
hazard to the passengers and crew (the metal body makes a good Faraday
cage) there might actually be enough gamma/X-radiation from the stroke
to give people onboard a hazardous dose.