HEATING, IONIZATION AND UPWARD DISCHARGES IN THE MESOSPHERE DUE TO INTENSE QUASI-ELECTROSTATIC THUNDERCLOUD FIELDS

Quasi-electrostatic (QE) fields that temporarily exist at high altitud es following the sudden removal (e.g., by a lightning discharge) of th undercloud charge at low altitudes are found to significantly heat mes ospheric electrons and produce ionization and light. The intensity, sp atial extent, duration and spectra of optical emissions produced are c onsistent with the observed features of the Red Sprite type of upward discharges.