Cameras to be sent into space to observe lightning in Earth's atmosphere

'Hopefully it will provide us with new knowledge about how lightning can affect our daily lives'

Scientists want to find out more about the origins of lightning and its effects (Maxime Raynal/Wikipedia)

A unique collection of optical cameras, fast light meters, X-ray and Gamma-ray detectors will be sent into space for the first time to observe lightning in the Earth's atmosphere from space.

The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) will observe and record the inner anatomy of lightning processes to help scientists understand the effect of lightning on the atmosphere and contribute to more accurate climate models.

The equipment will make it possible to measure bursts of Gamma-rays from thunderstorms and will observe lightning, as well as high-altitude lightning events such as red sprites, blue jets and gigantic jets.

These types of lightning, known as transient luminous events, last only a millisecond to a second.

The instruments will run continuously over two years, with the data collected saved and sent to Earth for analysis.

Dr Martin Fullekrug, from the University of Bath, whose work has contributed towards the development of the monitoring gear, said: "I have been researching and investigating space and lightning events for over 15 years, and the launch of ASIM feels like the pinnacle of my journey into understanding this phenomenon.

"This is the first time such a detailed and technologically advanced measurement device will be flown into space to observe lightning and will hopefully provide us with new knowledge about how lightning is initiated and how the properties of lightning can affect our daily lives in so many different ways."

The SpaceX Dragon rocket will carry the new equipment (Reuters/Nasa ) (REUTERS/NASA via social media/Handout via Reuters)

The device, weighing 314kg, is roughly a square cubic metre in size.

It will be mounted on the outside of the International Space Station's (ISS) Columbus module, circulating the globe 250 miles up.

The data will be combined with measurements recorded from meteorological satellites and ground-based observations from across the world.

Dr Graham Turnock, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: "This experiment will give scientists all over the world the opportunity to study the effects of powerful lightning storms from the unique vantage point of the International Space Station.

"It's another exciting moment for international space collaboration and commercial space flight."

ASIM, which was built by a team of international experts, is due to be launched on the SpaceX Falcon-9/Dragon rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida tomorrow.

The UK Space Agency, through the UK's investment in the European Space Agency, partly funded the project.

Press Association