Science/Tech
See other Science/Tech ArticlesTitle: Antimatter lightning
Source:
Sciencenews.org
URL Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/gen ... timatter_detected_in_lightning
Published: Nov 8, 2009
Author: Ron Cowen
Post Date: 2009-11-08 23:12:59 by Armadillo
Keywords: None
Views: 145
Comments: 2
During two recent lightning storms, Fermi recorded gamma-ray emissions of a particular energy that could have been produced only by the decay of energetic positrons, the antimatter equivalent of electrons. The observations are the first of their kind for lightning storms. Michael Briggs of the University of Alabama in Huntsville announced the puzzling findings November 5 at the 2009 Fermi Symposium.
...
During lightning storms previously observed by other spacecraft, energetic electrons moving toward the craft slowed down and produced gamma rays. The unusual positron signature seen by Fermi suggests that the normal orientation for an electric field associated with a lightning storm somehow reversed, Briggs said. Modelers are now working to figure out how the field reversal could have occurred. But for now, he said, the answer is up in the air. History shows again and again
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