Observation of Elves with the Fluorescence Detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory

THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION (AUTOR 434 DE 474); M. TUEROS (COAUTOR)

Beijing

Conferencia; 32nd International Cosmic Ray Conference 2011; 2011

Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

We report the observation of elves using the Fluorescence Detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory in Malarg¨ue, Argentina. Elves are transient luminous phenomena originating in the D layer of the ionosphere, high above thunderstorm clouds, at an altitude of approximately 90 km. With a time resolution of 100 ns and a space resolution of about 1 degree, the Fluorescence Detectors can provide an accurate 3D measurement of elves for thunderstorms which are below the horizon. Prospects for the implementation of a dedicated trigger to improve detection efficiency and plans to perform multi-wavelength studies on these rare atmospheric phenomena will be given.