Science
ACTUAL PROBLEMS OF AVIATION AND AEROSPACE SYSTEMS
Kazan Daytona Beach


On space monitoring of tropical hurricane

К.А.Boyarchuk, А.V.Каrelin

VNIIEM

For the first time a fundamental equation, which does not contain physically proofless parameters, for tangential constituent of velocity of tropical hurricanes, whirlwinds and tornados, has been received on base of developed molecular-kinetic theory of condensation in atmosphere. The dynamics of development and life of tropical hurricanes in case of atmospheric ionization with radioactive radon gas in seismically active regions of the ocean or drop-out of charged particles from the earth radiation belt to troposphere were considered and researched. The equation enabled to demonstrate dynamics of development of usual hurricane in case of thunderstorm electromagnetic activity of atmosphere. A possibility of estimation of development of tropical hurricanes based on space monitoring of temperature, humidity and ionization speed was shown as well.

Tropical hurricanes and cyclones (TC) are the most menacing manifestations of natural cataclysms. The energy of wind containing in powerful TC can exceed 1018 joules, which impact force is near 250 thermonuclear warheads of 1 Mt TNT power. A clear notion on this event reinforced with effective methods of modeling is necessary for protection of population of near-shore areas in tropical regions of the Earth.

The comparison of seismic activity zones with regions of origin and expansion of powerful tropical hurricanes gives grounds to see a connection between these phenomena. This connection is conditioned by emission of radioactive radon gas the day before the earthquake as a result of the stress in the block crust, acceleration of ionization and, as a consequence, increase of concentration of charge centers of condensation in the troposphere. Furthermore, our notion on important role of charge centers of condensation coincides with known conclusion about that the development of hurricanes is provoked by a solar activity and connected with the earth radiation belt and conditioned by influence of radioactive particles drop-out from the radiation belt along the geomagnetic equator during geomagnetic storms generated by coronal massive emissions. The outputs of this work are based on instrumental measurements of AMS apparatus and indications of areas of drop-outs exactly coincided with hurricanes origin areas.

The further consideration is based on a developed by us molecular kinetic theory on condensationand method for calculation of intensity (specific speed) of tropical hurricanes used earlier by Schuleikin V.V. The essence of the method lies in that the power of rotation of tropical hurricane is appeared in the form of diversity of conversed into progressive rotation of atmospheric air, power of condensation heat emission and loss of power due to friction of air current against water surface. The efficiency coefficient of transformation of warmth into motion of air in the certain direction let us accept equal to a relation of accelerating pressure difference to full pressure of atmosphere on the ocean surface Dp/p, that corresponds to G.S.Golitsin's work.

As for reactions with participation of only neutral molecules the dependence of probability of disassociation for condensation nucleus of 10-7 cm dimension on temperature the expectations of association begin to exceed temperatures within the range 22 - 28°С, and probabilities curves of the conversion and separation with participation of charged particles do not intercross up to the boiling temperature. It means, that at absence of fair quantity of charged particles in the near-surface layer of atmosphere at relatively high temperature of air and water, the evaporation begins to exceed the condensation. It can serve as a source of energy for origination of various natural cataclysms - tropical hurricanes, tornados, and whirlwinds. Namely this circumstance can explain a well-known (due to experimental observations) value of ocean surface temperature 26.5°С, at which tropical hurricanes begin to appear. The specific value of temperature is determined by ocean saltiness and concentration of aerosols above its surface.

The obtained equation is new one, and the difference of this equation from past ones is that all the coefficients therein are clear from the physics point of view and are not the result of approximation of observation results (except for k friction coefficient), as well as it differs in availability of the multiplier of the desired tropical hurricane specific velocity in the first member. Whence it follows a principal impossibility of initiation of tropical hurricane at dead calm conditions. Some initial velocity of wind or no uniformity of underlying surface is required to provide it. Apparently, it is one of causes that tropical hurricanes are launched in vicinities of Cape Verde Islands or Antilles. Furthermore, the Antilles region is a seismic activity zone. The same in combination with geomagnetic equator it can be referred to Cape Verde Islands as well.

The leading role in tropical hurricanes process launching is acted by quantity of condensation centers, especially charged, evaporation of water molecules from surface of which is very obstructed. Concentration of neutral centers of condensation was taken equal to Nn=103 сm3. It is necessary to remark, that in usual conditions the concentration of Aitken nuclear fraction (radius of particle is within 10-7 -10-5cm) can achieve 105сm-3, however, the value of the sea component is significantly lower. Meanwhile, the concentration of middle and heavy ions can substantially exceed value 104 сm-3.

Results of computations

Results of calculations of tropical hurricane specific velocity for different control parameters (ionization rate, initial velocity, ambient temperature, and relative humidity) show, that the growth of powerful tropical hurricane (maximum speed of wind more than 60 m/s or 200 km/h) does not happen in usual conditions at low ionization rate in atmosphere, regardless of initial velocity and ambient temperature even at high relative air humidity. However, even at not big rise of maximum speed of ionization of up to f1>50 сm-3×s-1 value (approximately exceeding the usual value in order of magnitude) a powerful tropical hurricane develops for 3-5 days changing smoothly to a long tropical storm. The initial velocity of air flow, which took place before the moment of beginning of ionization velocity jump or deficiency of pressure in the center of future hurricane plays the important role in this event.

For development of powerful tropical hurricane not only noticeable speed-up of ionization is required, but also a rise of ocean temperature up to 27-28°С at sufficient high humidity, what coincides with results of numerous experimental observations. The other main condition for origin of tropical hurricane is availability of sufficient quantity of water vapor (fuel in this heat engine). Thus, one can imagine a method for lowering power of moving tropical hurricane when the evaporation from the ocean surface is obstructed or relative air humidity is very lowered by preliminary artificial ionization on its way. A volume picture of the field of maximum speeds of tropical hurricane, which depends on ambient temperature and relative humidity, was represented.

A comparison of numerical modeling with results of observations of specific tangential velocity trend of real tropical hurricane "Gustav" was considered.

The maximum speed of ionization was estimated according to a rate of rise of tropical hurricane velocity for the first 1-2 days and amounted f1=26 сm-3×s-1, that is 5 times more than usual maximum speed of ionization above the sea. A specific time necessary for decaying of maximum speed of ionization in via of movement of tropical hurricane is a-1= 8 days. A satisfactory fit of the calculation with the observation results was revealed.

In conclusion let us mark that the obtained equation serves to describe tornados, whirlwinds and other similar phenomena, which originate near open surface water areas. To illustrate the abovementioned, it was represented temporal dynamics of maximal tangential velocity of overland hurricane activated by lightning discharges in volume of 1 km radius and 3.5 km height for different initial velocities of the wind. The energy of lightning strokes spent to ionize air in the considered volume during one hour and a half amounted 4 МJ (or 1 kg of TNT).

The state of ocean and atmosphere (temperature, humidity, saturation with condensation centers) can be estimated in the areas of origin and expansion of tropical hurricane with the help of space monitoring instruments MTVZA-GIa mounted on "Meteor-M" satellites. The speed and dynamics of development of TC can be estimated using on-board lidars. Thus, the perspectives of origin and development of tropical hurricane can be estimated by using the global space monitoring systems.

 

Kirill Alexandrovich Boyarchuk, Dr., Prof., Deputy Director General - Designer General (VNIIEM). The scientific interests area: remote sensing, the physics of atmosphere, forecasting of the earthquakes, space vehicle and space constellation.

Alexander Vitalyevich Karelin, Dr.; Head of laboratory (IZMIRAN). The scientific interests area: the laser physics, physics and chemistry of plasma, the physicist of an atmosphere.



[Contents]

homeKazanUniversitywhat's newsearchlevel upfeedback

© 1995-2008 Kazan State University