[CF-metadata] Proposing Standard Names for Lightning Event, Group and Flash Radiant Energy

From: Jonathan Gregory <j.m.gregory>
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 15:52:57 +0100

Dear Randy and Gary

> I am working with Gary on the standard name for lightning radiant energy.
>
> The original proposed standard names (see below) are inextricably associated with the characteristics of the lightning detection algorithm we have employed, including the notion of flashes, groups, and events. A more general (and useful) way to approach this standard name is to simply call out a lightning radiant energy, and then use one or more of temporal and spatial coordinate variables in conjunction with cell_methods and cell_measures to describe the specific characteristics of the lightning radiant energy data variable. As a result, see the following amended proposal:
>
> Standard_name:
> lightning_radiant_energy
>
> Definition:
> Radiant energy associated with the emission of electromagnetic radiation due to lightning. A coordinate variable of radiation_wavelength, radiation_frequency, or sensor_band_central_wavelength may be specified to indicate that the lightning_radiant_energy applies at specific wavelengths or frequencies.
>
> Canonical units: J

I agree that it should be independent of a particular algorithm, and if this
approach works for you, that's good. Thanks. Since it's joules it's extensive
in time and space so you would probably need time and space bounds to specify
what it applies to. Likewise it would need bounds in radiation frequency or
wavelength if it was not the complete spectrum.

Best wishes

Jonathan
Received on Fri Jul 11 2014 - 08:52:57 BST