Pixies, Gnomes, and Jets - Oh My! episode artwork

EPISODE · May 21, 2025 · 39 MIN

Pixies, Gnomes, and Jets - Oh My!

from Weather Geeks

Guest: Dr. Levi Boggs, Georgia Tech Research InstituteWhen we think of lightning, we picture bolts striking the ground during a thunderstorm—but not all electrical activity stays within the lower atmosphere. High above the clouds, mysterious and fleeting flashes of light dance across the sky—sprites, blue jets, and gigantic jets—phenomena that are still not fully understood. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re exploring the enigmatic world of upper atmospheric electrical phenomena with Dr. Levi Boggs, whose latest research is shedding new light on these elusive events. From cutting-edge observations to the impact these events may have on aviation, space weather, and even our understanding of lightning itself, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Boggs here to break it all down!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Upper Atmospheric Electrical Phenomena04:58 Transient Luminous Events: Types and Characteristics10:58 Differences Between TLEs and Traditional Lightning16:02 Observing TLEs: Opportunities and Challenges20:58 Research Focus: Gigantic Jets and Their Impacts25:14 Challenges in Studying Transient Luminous Events28:22 The Importance of Observations in TLE Research31:31 Field Campaigns and Citizen Science33:05 Understanding Lightning Through TLE Research36:24 Future Aspirations in TLE ResearchSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno interviews Dr. Levi Boggs about upper atmospheric electrical phenomena, specifically transient luminous events (TLEs) such as sprites, blue jets, and gigantic jets. Dr. Boggs shares his journey into the world of atmospheric electricity, the characteristics and differences of TLEs compared to traditional lightning, and the challenges of observing these elusive events. The conversation also delves into ongoing research regarding the impact of gigantic jets on the environment and technology, including potential effects on satellite communications. In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno speaks with Dr. Levi Boggs from Georgia Tech Research Institute about the challenges and advancements in studying Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) such as gigantic jets and red sprites. They discuss the difficulties in capturing observations, the importance of citizen science, and the potential for future research and technology to enhance understanding of these phenomena. Dr. Boggs shares insights on how TLEs can inform our understanding of traditional lightning and expresses his aspirations for future research endeavors.

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Pixies, Gnomes, and Jets - Oh My!

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This episode was published on May 21, 2025.

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Guest: Dr. Levi Boggs, Georgia Tech Research InstituteWhen we think of lightning, we picture bolts striking the ground during a thunderstorm—but not all electrical activity stays within the lower atmosphere. High above the clouds, mysterious and...

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