Illumination of mesospheric irregularity by lightning discharge

Theoretical model calculations recently predicted the existence of mesospheric irregularities which assist the initiation of sprites. Here we report the experimental detection of a ∼3-19 km large mesospheric irregularity at ∼80-85km height which is illuminated by the electromagnetic field of an intense positive cloud-to-ground lightning discharge. While the lightning discharge causes a prompt group of four sprites above the lightning discharge, the mesospheric irregularity is found at a horizontal distance at least ∼15-20km away from the sprite group and it rebrightens ∼40-60ms after the sprite group occurrence. This rebrightening is driven by a local quasi-static electric field enhancement with a charge moment ∼4-20 Ckm which causes the irregularity to develop a downward descending luminous column from ∼75-85 km height. The quasi-static electric field enhancement is caused by the reorganization of residual charge inside the thundercloud during a high-level activity of intracloud discharges with ∼10-20 pulses per ms. Such mesospheric irregularities might have an effect on the wave propagation of 100 kHz radio waves which are used for atomic time transfer and marine navigation.