DMSP F12 Satellite Lightning Detection Streaks from 1995

Global lightning signatures were detected from visible channel imagery by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) flown on satellite F12. The dataset contains extracted time and location data for each lightning streak, stored in monthly HDF files. It was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and covers a seven-month period from May through November 1995.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the spatial distribution of global lightning events using geolocation data.
• Studying temporal patterns of lightning activity across the 1995 storm season using timestamped records.
• Validating or supplementing other lightning detection systems with satellite-observed streak data.
• Investigating correlations between atmospheric conditions and lightning frequency using time-series data.

Strengths

• Provides a global spatial coverage of lightning events.
• Contains a continuous seven-month time series from May to November 1995.
• Data originates from a authoritative source, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
• Signals cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA Earthdata, indicating established importance.

Limitations

• Specific column names and the total row count are unknown across all sources.
• Sources conflict on the dataset's last updated date (2026 vs 1995).
• Data is limited to a single year (1995) and a specific satellite sensor (DMSP F12 OLS).

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Analyzed from visible channel imagery of the DMSP Operational Linescan System (OLS).

Time Range

May 1, 1995 through November 30, 1995

Freshness

2026-03-12 22:47:43.055191

Geography

Global