Lightning station becomes operational at the Pic du Midi

A lightning station has been installed at the top of the Pic du Midi to observe and record the lightning attachment to an instrumented rod. Direct measurements of the lightning current and atmospheric electric field are recorded. Various video cameras are used to analyze the flash impacts to the rod or its vicinity and also to various parts of its surroundings. Our goal is to instrument mainly one Observatory building protected by means of a rod to record lightning impacts and, if any, notice some possible LPS by-passes, a direct evaluation of the protected zone.