VLF SIGNATURES OF IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES ASSOCIATED WITH SPRITES

VLF perturbations on signals propagating along great-circle-paths (GCP ) through electrically active midwest thunderstorms are associated wit h luminous high altitude glows (referred to as sprites) observed from aircraft or ground. The data constitutes the first evidence that the p hysical processes leading to sprites also alter the conductivity of th e lower ionosphere.