Introducing the Lightning Imager: Revolutionizing Storm Detection and Prediction
In a groundbreaking development, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat) have activated the first-ever satellite instrument capable of continuously detecting lightning across Europe and Africa. The Lightning Imager, built by Leonardo, is onboard the Meteosat Third Generation satellite, which was launched on December 13, 2022.
This innovative instrument has the ability to detect rapid flashes of lightning in Earth’s atmosphere from a distance of 36,000 km, regardless of whether it is day or night. Equipped with four cameras covering Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of South America, each camera can capture up to 1000 images per second, providing continuous observations of lightning activity from space.
The animations released by ESA and Eumetsat showcase the Lightning Imager’s remarkable capabilities. Each animation consists of a sequence of images that represent one minute’s worth of lightning measurements overlaid on a single image of Earth captured by the Lightning Imager.
The data collected by the Lightning Imager will significantly enhance weather forecasters’ ability to predict severe storms, especially in remote regions and over the oceans where lightning detection is limited. This information will be invaluable in improving short-term weather forecasts and understanding the impact of lightning on climate change. Additionally, the Lightning Imager will play a crucial role in air traffic safety as lightning poses a high risk to aircraft instrumentation.
Phil Evans, the Director General of Eumetsat, emphasized that observing changes in lightning activity can provide forecasters with additional confidence in predicting severe storms. When combined with high-resolution data from the Flexible Combined Imager, forecasters will have a longer lead time to warn authorities and communities about the development of severe storms.
Guia Pastorini, Leonardo’s Project Engineering Manager for the Lightning Imager, highlighted the instrument’s impressive capabilities. With four cameras capturing 1000 images per second, the Lightning Imager can detect even a single lightning bolt faster than the blink of an eye. The data is processed onboard the satellite using specific algorithms to send only relevant information to Earth, supporting the development of more accurate weather forecasts and contributing to the study of weather phenomena and air transport safety.
While the animations released are just the initial results from the Lightning Imager, the Meteosat Third Generation satellite is currently undergoing its commissioning phase, during which the instruments are calibrated and the data is validated. The Lightning Imager’s data will be available for operational use in early 2024 with increased sensitivity.
The Meteosat Third Generation Imager is part of a larger system comprising six satellites that will provide critical data for short-term and early detection of potential extreme weather events over the next two decades. The mission includes two MTG-I satellites and one MTG Sounding satellite, which will monitor atmospheric instability and provide advanced warnings of severe thunderstorms.
The Lightning Imager is a testament to the collaborative efforts of ESA, Eumetsat, and European industrial partners. Leonardo, in Italy, developed this outstanding technology over a decade, and the resulting images from the Lightning Imager demonstrate its unique performance as the first European lightning hunter.
With the Lightning Imager’s capabilities, meteorologists and scientists can look forward to more accurate storm predictions and a deeper understanding of our planet’s weather patterns.