Research Direction:

Study of dynamic processes in the atmosphere and near-Earth space caused by disturbances of solar and terrestrial origin, as well as elements of the Global Electric Circuit under the influence of cosmic and geophysical factors (solar activity, galactic cosmic rays, lithospheric processes) in order to establish cause-and-effect relationships within the “Sun–Earth” system.

Fundamental Research:

Research on thunderstorm activity and the mechanisms of lightning discharge initiation, including their impact on the lower ionosphere.

Identification of physical mechanisms of cosmic ray flux impact on the dynamics of thunderstorm activity, variations in the atmospheric electric field, and key ionospheric parameters.

Monitoring of cosmic and geophysical parameters at a high-altitude cosmic ray station (3340 m above sea level) to investigate the mechanisms of solar-terrestrial relations and their influence on thunderstorm activity.

Investigation of the intensity of naturally occurring neutron fluxes in the energy range of 0.025 — 1 eV in the surface layer of the atmosphere, and their variations under the influence of natural factors of cosmic and lithospheric origin.

Experimental methods and development:

Development and modernization of the experimental monitoring base, as well as the development and implementation of new hardware and software systems to improve methods of data collection, processing, and analysis.

Development of methods for detecting and localizing lightning discharges using a ground-based lightning location network and analysis of wideband electromagnetic signals.

Registration and analysis of electric field variations and slow neutron fluxes, including those of lithospheric origin, for the diagnostics and search for earthquake precursors.