Demystifying Science — February 12, 2017

What is the Thor experiment?

Inspired by the hammer-wielding character, Thor, from Norse mythology and the Marvel comics universe, the eponymous experiment aims to investigate electrical activity from thunderstorms. Between 10 and 100 kilometres in the atmosphere, the interaction between charged particles produces a variety of dazzling electric phenomena from blue jets to red sprites.

The Thor experiment will look at them with a thundercloud imaging system from the vantage point of the International Space Station. The key aims of the study include understanding how these discharges influence water vapour levels, cloud formation, and eventually changes in climate.