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"The impact of triboelectrification on desert dust flow dynamics: can astronomical polarimetry provide a signature?"
Mrs. Vasiliki Daskalopoulou
National Observatory of Athens


When:  Tuesday, 12 Sept 2017 at 1:30pm
Where: 2nd Floor Seminar Room

Abstract:
In the natural granular flows, such as wind-blown sand storms, the existence of electrification processes is widely acknowledged by many researchers. On a planetary level, large electric fields are generated in dust devils and dust storms on Mars, which can significantly alter both atmospheric and geologic processes, but also disrupt space missions. A question arises, as to whether the electric processes affect desert dust dynamics on Earth and to what extent. Friction and contact electrification lead to subsequent charge transfer and enhancement of the existing electric field. We aim to study this phenomenon, also known as triboelectrification, in order to adequately parameterize it in dust transport models.

On the specific talk, the primary aim is to present the planned experiments of measuring the atmospheric electricity. Moreover, we put the question if there is the possibility of finding signatures of electric field existence in dust clouds, by examining the excess horizontal polarization measurements from Skinakas Observatory.
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