High altitude discharges and gamma‐ray flashes: A manifestation of runaway air breakdown

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Abstract
γ‐ray flashes of atmospheric origin as well as blue jets and red sprites are naturally explained by high‐altitude discharges produced by runaway air breakdown. We present the first detailed model of the development of upward propagating discharges and compute optical and γ‐ray emissions that are in excellent agreement with observations. According to our theory, such discharges represent the first known manifestation of runaway air breakdown, a fundamental new process in plasma physics.