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Modulation of the Earth's electric field by cosmic radiation

Abstract

Positive correlations between cosmic radiation and ionospheric potential (VI) reported here indicate that the electrification of the atmosphere is modulated by changes in ionizing radiation. Analyses of two independent VI data sets, where VI is a measure of the intensity of the Earth's electric field1,2, indicate that a 10% change in ground level cosmic radiation is associated with a 10–20% corresponding variation in VI. (In addition, variations in VI were analysed relative to indices of the upper atmosphere electrical generator to investigate possible atmospheric electrical changes due to magnetospheric–ionospheric coupling; no correlation was found between the upper atmosphere indices and VI. The nature of the global circuit is such that ionizing radiation must affect atmospheric electrification through regulation of the current output of the global thunderstorm generator which maintains the fair-weather electric field because increased conductivity in the fair-weather part of the atmosphere would lower VI. The results also suggest the existence of a thundercloud electrification mechanism that is sensitive to ambient atmospheric electrical conditions—electric field intensity and/or conductivity3,4.

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Markson, R. Modulation of the Earth's electric field by cosmic radiation. Nature 291, 304–308 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/291304a0

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