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An X‐ray detector has been flown on‐board a NASA F‐106 jet into thunderstorms. We have concluded that significant quantities of 3 to >12 keV X‐rays are produced within thunderstorm clouds which support lightning discharge activity. It is inferred that the X‐rays are the bremsstrahlung radiation emitted from energetic electrons which have been accelerated through run‐away processes. It is suggested and supported that the structures responsible for the acceleration are strong double‐layers which are supported by the very high current densities attributed to lightning discharges.
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Parks et al. (1981) studied this question.
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