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Written by: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Published: 28 March 2021

If you’re on the ground during a thunderstorm, you might witness a spectacular show of lightning.

But if you’re observing that same thunderstorm from the vantage point of the International Space Station, you might see a bolt of energy shooting up from the clouds. And it might be red. Or blue. Or even green.

These particle outbursts are like nothing seen from the ground, and may prove useful to predict weather outcomes more precisely, better understand changes to our climate and increase the safety of planes and ships approaching dangerous storms.

They have names that sound like they were taken from a fantasy novel: Blue Jet. Gigantic Jet. Red Sprite. Halos and Elves. But all belong to a more scientific-sounding family, transient luminous events or TLE’s; flashes and glows that appear above storms that are results of activity occurring in and below those storms.

Dr. Timothy Lang is a lead research aerospace technologist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. He explainED how two key observational instruments aboard the orbiting laboratory are helping scientists better understand these colorful bursts of energy:

“We use the Lightning Imaging Sensor, or LIS, to map lightning in two dimensions with global-scale coverage. It shows us where the thunderstorms are taking place, and how powerful each one is based on the size of its lightning flashes. So it’s akin to a macro camera. Another instrument, the Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor, or ASIM, is operated by the European Space Agency. ASIM gives us very fine detail of a TLE’s flash. In essence, it’s akin to a micro camera,” Lang said.

Torsten Neubert, ASIM Principal Investigator at Denmark’s National Space Institute addED that “ASIM and LIS make observations in different ranges of the color spectrum, allowing for different views of these particle events.”

So, LIS is macro; ASIM is micro, and together they provide a powerful combination for exploring lightning and TLEs.

The space station offers an excellent vantage point to scientists studying TLEs. At about 250 miles up, it is much closer to these phenomena than a geosynchronous satellite. Further, the stations’ orbit allows for coverage of storms world-wide.

All this allows LIS and ASIM to produce a unique space-based dataset of thunderstorms and their effects, which in turn helps support other observational instruments. LIS for example, has been used to calibrate instruments and verify data for the Geostationary Lightning Mapper on NASA and NOAA’s GOES satellites, and will also support the lightning imager on the European satellite, Meteosat Third Generation. This support helps make data produced by these sensors the highest quality for serving the public.

From the space station, LIS can provide lightning data in near-realtime for the benefit of those on Earth. It can report lightning nearing dry areas of forests prone to wildfires. It’s integrated into the NOAA Aviation Weather Center's operations, which provides weather forecasts and warnings to the US and international aviation and maritime communities. And, over time, it can map data points to help scientists observe changes to our climate over broad tracts of land and sea.

In short, studying lightning and its effects both below and above the clouds can have a big impact on how we view our planet. Doing so from the International Space Station is improving that view in ways that couldn’t be accomplished anywhere else.

For more electrifying information about the International Space Station, go to www.nasa.gov/iss-science.

To discover more about the space on, around, and beyond our planet visit http://science.nasa.gov.

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Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 27 March 2021

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After a one-year hiatus, the popular Catfish Derby is returning to Clearlake Oaks on May 14, 15 and 16.

Past participants are being notified of the decision and the precautions that will be in effect.

Widely known as the biggest Catfish Derby west of the Mississippi, the event traditionally draws fishing enthusiasts from throughout the United States who come for a chance to hook a big fish, win a cash prize and enjoy the camaraderie that makes the tournament the type of event groups and families enjoy, year after year.

This year will mark the 37th Derby.

“In recent years, participation has grown to about 1,000 fishing enthusiasts and their families,” said Dennis Locke, chairman of the Catfish Derby Committee.

The much-anticipated event was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions that precluded events drawing large crowds of the size the Derby normally attracts.

“We aren’t expecting as large a crowd this year,” Locke said. “But we have been fielding calls from our most avid participants and so far, the mail in application rate is encouraging. Also, for the first time this year we’re accepting online applications so overall, we’re seeing good results early in the process.”

Camille Gouldberg, president of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association which sponsors the Derby, said that many aspects of the event will be different this year.

“The one thing that won’t change is the fishing,” she said. “Hopefully the individuals, groups and family bubbles that normally enter the contest will return to enjoy the best catfishing around.”

“We decided to move forward this year after considerable discussion and careful consideration of the operational changes needed to minimize potential spread of the COVID virus,” Locke said. “We are following the most current local and state guidance. If restrictions ease up by May, we’ll evaluate the feasibility of revising some procedures.”

Locke also said that the Catfish Derby supports the local economy in numerous ways, boosting sales at bait and tackle shops, stores, coffee houses, restaurants, hotels, resorts, casinos, and more. “It draws more people from outside the county than any single event I can think of and the proceeds go right back into the community” he said. “It’s an important fundraiser for our little town.”

Gouldberg said the business association had to limit the amount of donations given in 2020. “The event proceeds from this year will hopefully allow us to resume more robust funding of the activities we traditionally support including schools, the local senior center and events that benefit our children, seniors and the community at large,” she said.

A number of significant changes have been made including two location changes. The on-site registration is moving from the fire station to the Clearlake Oaks Plaza on 12483 Foothill Blvd. and the fish weigh-ins will move to the Clearlake Oaks public boat launch ramp on 12684 Island Drive, west of the fire station off highway 20.

“We won’t be providing food or beverages this year and we’re foregoing the raffles, t-shirt sales and photo booth. Also, no entertainment or spectators this year and no awards ceremony at the conclusion of the Derby. Instead, tournament results will be posted on our website and social media. Prize awards will be sent to winning contestants by mail,” Locke said.

“It’s a scaled down version of what we’ve done,” Locke said, “but the prize levels are the same.”

A total of $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. In the adult division, 20 prizes ranging from $5,000 to $40 will be awarded. In the two kid’s divisions, 5 prizes are awarded in the 11 to 15 category and 5 in the “up to 10-year-old” category. Prizes in these divisions range from $100 to $10.

For updated information on the 2021 Derby call 707-596-0248, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website at www.clearlakeoaks.org/derby.

“Our committee is made up of volunteers, mostly over the age of 65,” said Gail Jonas, former Catfish Derby Committee chair. “We missed the derby last year and hopefully, soon, we can return to more traditional times. But for now, we need to be cautious.”

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Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 27 March 2021

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A veteran Lake County Sheriff’s deputy has made an important move up in the agency’s ranks.

The sheriff’s office said this week that Deputy Walter White has been promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Lt. Corey Paulich said White is believed to be the first Black deputy to reach the rank of sergeant or above on the patrol side. “We have had at least one on our correctional side.”

The sheriff’s office has 11 sergeants, Paulich said.

Sgt. White is a lifelong Lake County resident and graduate of Lower Lake High School.

He began his law enforcement career with the sheriff’s office as a Correctional Officer in 2006. He was promoted to deputy trainee and graduated from the Santa Rosa Police Academy in 2009.

White completed his field training program and began working as a solo deputy serving the citizens of Lake County in 2010.

During his career he has served as an explorer advisor, peer support member, field training officer, off-highway vehicle enforcement team and crisis response perimeter team.

During White’s promotion ceremony, Sheriff Brian Martin noted, “Sgt. White is a leader in the sheriff’s office and our community.”