After having published the first thunderstorm ground enhancements (TGEs) catalog to explain long-lasting TGEs, we address here problems pertaining to TGE evolution (shape) and atmospheric conditions ...supporting the origination of the relativistic runaway electron avalanches. We also address the question of radon progeny gamma radiation and its contribution to overall TGE flux. We demonstrate that by using detectors with different energy thresholds we can identify and reliably separate both mechanisms of TGE origination. An analysis of measured energy spectra of TGEs reveals contributions of both processes to the TGE temporal evolution and shape. We also confirm the model of radon progeny radiation during a thunderstorm.
To advance high-energy atmospheric physics, studying atmospheric electric fields (AEF) and cosmic ray fluxes as an interconnected system is crucial. At Mt. Argats, simultaneous measurements of ...particle fluxes, electric fields, weather conditions, and lightning locations have significantly enhanced the validation of models that describe the charge structures of thunderclouds and the mechanics of internal electron accelerators. In 2023, observations of the five largest thunderstorm ground enhancements (TGEs) revealed electric fields exceeding 2.0 kV/cm at elevations just tens of meters above ground—potentially hazardous to rockets and aircraft during launch and charging operations. Utilizing simple yet effective monitoring equipment developed at Aragats, we can mitigate the risks posed by these high-intensity fields. The Mendeley dataset, comprising various measured parameters during thunderstorm activities, enables researchers to perform advanced correlation analysis and uncover complex relationships between these atmospheric phenomena. This study underscores the critical importance of integrated atmospheric studies for ensuring the safety of high-altitude operations and advancing atmospheric science.
Abstract
E. Williams et al. (2022, commented paper) questioned electron energy spectra derived from thunderstorm ground enhancements (TGEs) measured on Aragats; they concluded that “A more likely ...origin for any detected electrons at 3.2 km above sea level is Compton scattering and pair production activated by longer‐range bremsstrahlung gamma rays, themselves produced by runaway electron encounters with nuclei in the breakeven field at higher altitude.” In this comment, we show that the selection criteria of “electron” TGEs unambiguously reject the assumption of the origination of TGE electrons measured on Aragats from the Compton and pair production processes. Thus, the strong accelerating electric field above the earth's surface can be significantly lower (25–150 m) than derived in the commented paper 500 m altitude.
Plain Language Summary
Electron accelerators operate in the thunderous atmosphere, sending copious particles to the Earth's surface. To get inside the models of electron acceleration and multiplication by strong atmospheric fields, the critical problem is the measurement of electrons and their energies as they arrive at the earth's surface. It is rather tricky because electrons are fast attenuated in the air, and the flux of accompanied gamma rays is attenuated much less and reaches the ground in overwhelming amounts. We developed special hardware and software methods to prove electrons' existence in the vast particle fluxes reaching the ground and to measure their energies. Simulations and careful examination of the registered particle fluxes check these methods.
Key Points
The contribution of the Compton scattered and pair‐production electrons to TGE flux is negligible and cannot “mimic” the TGE electron flux
The criteria used in the energy spectrum recovery from Aragats Solar Neutron Telescope (ASNT) reliably select “electron” TGE events and reject TGE events with small electron content
If the strong accelerating electric field terminates low above the earth's surface (25–100 m), electrons from the large RREAs reach ASNT, and their energy spectrum can be reliably recovered
We consider the particle flux enhancement occurring during the Winter months on Aragats. We demonstrate that these enhancements originate from 222Radon chain isotopes gamma radiation only. The ...relativistic runaway electron avalanche is possible on Aragats only in Spring-Autumn seasons. We measure with NaI ORTEC spectrometer the gamma ray radiation of the Radon progeny and use multidetector measurements to confirm the origin of the enhanced particle flux.
•We discuss the unusually long thunderstorm ground enhancement (TGE) event observed on Aragats.•We demonstrate that the origin of the enhancement of the natural gamma radiation (NGR) is the 222Rn progeny radiation.•Electron-gamma ray avalanches in the atmosphere have no contribution to the winter TGEs.•The large TGEs originating from the electron-gamma avalanches are observed only in Spring-Autumn months.•We present the examples of TGE observation in May 2019 and the monthly distribution of TGE events.
An unprecedented thunderstorm ground enhancement (TGE) event was recorded on May 23, 2023, at Aragats Mountain, the highest peak in Armenia. This event showcased a maximum flux intensity surpassing 3 ...million particles per minute per square meter for energies above 0.4 MeV. Distinctly, the fluence of the event was measured at approximately ≈700 particles/cm2. The comprehensive instrumentation at the Aragats research station, including a suite of spectrometers and detectors, enabled precise cross-correlation of measurements. The electron flux at energies exceeding 10 MeV was observed at roughly ≈55,000 particles per minute per square meter. Additional measurements, including cloud base heights and corona discharge detections, validated the intensity of the electric field, reaching approximately 2.1 kV/cm at elevations 50–100 m above ground level. Our observations confirm that TGE is a universal and significant atmospheric event, contributing a substantial flux of high-energy electrons to the global electrical circuit. Integrating such TGE phenomena into Earth's numerical models is imperative, considering their impact on aviation and aerospace operation safety.
Background IL-23 is associated with plaque psoriasis susceptibility and pathogenesis. BI 655066 is a fully human IgG1 mAb specific for the IL-23 p19 subunit. Objective This first-in-human ...proof-of-concept study evaluated the clinical and biological effects of BI 655066 in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Methods We performed a single-rising-dose, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-dose cohort phase I trial. Patients received 0.01, 0.05, 0.25, 1, 3, or 5 mg/kg BI 655066 intravenously, 0.25 or 1 mg/kg BI 655066 subcutaneously, or matched placebo. The primary objective was safety evaluation. Results Thirty-nine patients received single-dose BI 655066 intravenously (n = 18) or subcutaneously (n = 13) or placebo (n = 8). Adverse events were reported with similar frequency in the BI 655066 and placebo groups. Four serious adverse events (not considered treatment related) were reported among BI 655066–treated patients. BI 655066 was associated with clinical improvement from week 2 and maintained for up to 66 weeks after treatment. At week 12, 75%, 90%, and 100% decreases in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index were achieved by 87%, 58%, and 16% of BI 655066–treated patients (any dose), respectively, versus none receiving placebo. BI 655066 treatment resulted in reduced expression of lesional skin genes associated with IL-23/IL-17 signaling pathways and normalization of psoriatic lesion gene expression profiles to a profile approaching that of nonlesional skin. Significant correlation between treatment-associated molecular changes and psoriasis area and severity index improvement was observed ( r = 0.73, P = 2 × 10−6 ). Conclusions BI 655066 was well tolerated and associated with rapid, substantial, and durable clinical improvement in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, supporting a central role for IL-23 in psoriasis pathogenesis.
During the multiyear monitoring of particle fluxes and near-surface electric field (NSEF) on the Aragats research station, no runway relativistic electron avalanches have been observed in the ...January-February months. The large peaks and energies of TGE particles originating from the electron-gamma avalanches in the thundercloud are observed in the Spring-Autumn months when the electric field inside the cloud often exceeds the runaway threshold strength. On February 7, 2023, suddenly, all particle detectors registered 3 TGEs within 10 hours without any unusual local weather conditions. We consider these TGEs as indirect evidence of the influence of strong earthquakes on the previous day on the ionosphere and via the ionosphere on the structure and strength of the intracloud electric field above Aragats mountain. Recovered energy spectra of TGE electrons and gamma rays prove nearly one hour the strength of the electric field above Aragats at the heights 3300-5300 m comprises 2.1 kV/cm.
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