Test of Russian K004M image converter camera when recording natural lightning in Florida

The results of K004M camera tests when recording a trigger lightning are presented in paper [1] at this Congress. This report is a continuation of paper [1] and gives the results of demonstration of the camera functioning when recording a short spark in laboratory of the University of Florida (Gainesville, USA) and then a natural lightning in the University and at the International Center for Lightning Research & Testing (ICLRT) in Camp Blanding that belongs to this University. In so doing it has been shown that, except for luck, important conditions of successful record of a natural lightning are exact synchronization of the moment of camera start with a required discharge stage as well as automatic measurement of a distance to lightning and determination of its polarity.

[1]  Vladimir A. Rakov,et al.  High-speed optical studies of long spark (Istra, Russia) and triggered lightning (Camp Blanding, Florida): initial results , 2003, International Congress on High-Speed Imaging and Photonics.

[2]  Vladimir A. Rakov,et al.  High-speed optical studies of the long sparks in very transient stages , 2007, International Congress on High-Speed Imaging and Photonics.

[3]  Vladimir A. Rakov,et al.  Test of Russian K004M and K008 image converter cameras when recording trigger lightning in Florida , 2007, International Congress on High-Speed Imaging and Photonics.

[4]  Vladimir A. Rakov,et al.  Features of application of image converter cameras for research on lightning and discharges in long air gaps , 2005, International Congress on High-Speed Imaging and Photonics.