Atmospheric Physics at UM


Atmospheric Physics Research at The University of Mississippi	Group Members Dr. Marshall Dr. Stolzenburg Contact Information

Thunderstorm electricity is the main focus for the Atmospheric Physics Group.

View of a storm from Langmuir Lab

A Thunderstorm in New Mexico (photo copyright T. C. Marshall)

This subject has been investigated by many people over the last 250 years, ever since Benjamin Franklin's experiments first showed that thunderstorms are electrified.

However, surprisingly little is known of the electrical structure of storms or how storms become electrified.


We investigate atmospheric electricity problems primarily through observational methods. In collaboration with scientists from other institutions and laboratories, we launch instrumented balloons into storms.


* Our primary research area is in determining the electrical, dynamical, and precipitation characteristics of thunderstorms and the physics of lightning. We broaden these studies in various ways, as described under Areas of Research and evidenced in our List of Publications and Curriculum Vitae . * Our research requires data collection. To see how we accomplish our field work and some of the places we go, see Modes of Research and the Photo Gallery of mobile ballooning activities in Oklahoma and Texas during a project in 1994. Or, view some Photos From Langmuir Lab in New Mexico where we were launching balloons in 1999. *** Finally, if you think you might ever see or experience a thunderstorm, browse our page on Lightning Safety . *******

Members of the Atmospheric Physics Group at the University of Mississippi:
    Dr. Thomas C. Marshall   Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy
    Dr. Maribeth Stolzenburg   Research Associate Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy
    Dr. W. David Rust   Adjunct Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy; Scientist & Chief of
          Mesoscale Research and Applications Division, NOAA/ERL/ National Severe Storms Laboratory

Contact Information:

US & Express Mail Address:
Dept of Physics & Astronomy
University of Mississippi
Lewis Hall, Rm 108
University, MS 38677-1848 Telephone numbers:
Marshall - (662) 915-5325
Stolzenburg - (662) 915-5252
Rust - (405) 366-0404 E-mail addresses:
marshall <at> olemiss.edu
mstolzen <at> olemiss.edu
Dave.Rust <at> noaa.gov

US & Express Mail Address: Dept of Physics & Astronomy University of Mississippi Lewis Hall, Rm 108 University, MS 38677-1848	Telephone numbers: Marshall - (662) 915-5325 Stolzenburg - (662) 915-5252 Rust - (405) 366-0404	E-mail addresses: marshall <at> olemiss.edu mstolzen <at> olemiss.edu Dave.Rust <at> noaa.gov

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Atmospheric Physics Research

at The University of Mississippi