The Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) instrumentation network is a volumetric lightning mapping system located at the Kennedy Space Center; with a center location at 28.54N and 80.64W. The LDAR system provided near-real time support of lightning occurrence and location for the Space Shuttle missions. The seven antennas that comprise the LDAR network allow detection of 99% of all intra-cloud and cloud to ground flashes that occur within 10 kilometers of the instrumentation. Each antenna detects the 66 Megahertz Very High Frequency (VHF) pulse from an intra-cloud flash and an electric field detector detects cloud to ground flashes by measuring changes to the electric field from the flash. The root mean square error of the location of each of the detected flashes varies between 100 meters from within the network to approximately 10 kilometers within 90 kilometers outside the network. Data from the LDAR system are currently provided by the Global Hydrology Resource Center.
Instrument Details
- Magnetic/Electric
- Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Electricity > Electric FieldEarth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric ElectricityEarth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Electricity > LightningEarth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Lightning
- Troposphere
- 10 nanoseconds
- This data will be added in future versions
- 66MHz
- https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19790025501
Carl Lennon
Ken Cummins
Global Atmospherics, Inc, KSC
NASA, Global Atmospherics Inc.
Currently unavailable
Campaign Permanent Land Sites Stationary 42 Campaigns · 68 Instruments | Altus Cumulus Electrification Study 2002 Florida Everglades 1 Deployment · 6 Data Products
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