Imaging thunder (original) (raw)

A broadband microphone network, including a 4-element array, innovatively locates thunder sources during electrical storms in New Mexico. The methodology uses combined slowness search and distance ranging techniques to identify thunder regions in 3D, with distinct thunder pulse mapping correlated to VHF radiation from lightning. The findings underscore the complexity of acoustic and VHF emissions, revealing both separate excitation mechanisms and variability in acoustic energy across frequency bands.