TGF (Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes)

Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) are intense bursts of gamma rays produced by Earth's atmosphere during thunderstorms. They occur when strong electric fields accelerate electrons to near the speed of light, causing these high-energy electrons to emit gamma rays through a process called bremsstrahlung. TGFs last just milliseconds and are often associated with lightning activity, revealing a hidden, energetic side of thunderstorms. Although they are invisible to the naked eye, scientists study TGFs to better understand lightning physics and the impact of thunderstorms on the Earth's atmosphere.