Dark Lightning: Unveiling Earth's Invisible Storm Phenomenon

Dark lightning is an invisible atmospheric phenomenon alongside conventional thunderstorms, producing antimatter and gamma radiation that shoot upward from thunderclouds toward space. First detected in 1994 but only seriously studied in recent years, these terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) occur approximately 1,000 times daily worldwide, primarily along the equatorial belt. Unlike visible lightning, dark lightning releases energy through gamma rays undetectable to the human eye but can be measured by specialized instruments. The process involves electrons accelerated to near light-speed colliding with air molecules to produce gamma rays and even matter-antimatter pairs. This presents potential radiation exposure concerns for aircraft passengers and crew, as a single event can deliver radiation equivalent to 10 chest X-rays in less than a millisecond. Recent breakthroughs include developing ground-based detection systems, increased research funding, and a comprehensive international initiative to create a global risk assessment by 2025, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in understanding this phenomenon.

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