Do relativistic elementary particles originate in the lightning discharges?

Abstract

We present the observational data on detection of atmospheric discharges simultaneously with elementary particles performed during thunderstorms at 3200 m altitudes above sea level on Mt. Aragats in Armenia. Throughout the 2016 summer campaign on Aragats we monitored lightning occurrences and signals from NaI spectrometer and Neutron Monitor counter tubes. Particle detector signals were synchronized with lightning occurrences on microsecond time scales and all were electromagnetic interferences (EMI) and not signals from charged or neutral elementary particles. Thus, based on in situ measurements of atmospheric discharges and signals from particle detectors we conclude that relativistic particle are not originated from the lightning bolt.