Title: Stunning Image Captures Neon Green Lightning Strike on Jupiter’s Atmosphere
Subtitle: NASA’s Juno spacecraft reveals the mesmerizing phenomenon of Jovian lightning
Date: June 19, 2023
By Stacy Liberatore for Dailymail.com
NASA has recently shared a breathtaking image that captures a rare moment of neon green lightning striking Jupiter’s atmosphere. The image, taken by the Juno spacecraft during its 31st close flyby, showcases the crackling lightning near the gas giant’s north pole, resembling a green neon dot against the stormy background.
This natural phenomenon, known as Jovian lightning, was first observed by the Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1979 but remained a mystery until Juno’s visit to the planet. Scientists have now determined that Jovian lightning is similar to the lightning phenomenon on Earth.
On our planet, lightning bolts originate from water clouds and are commonly found near the equator. However, on Jupiter, lightning is believed to occur in clouds containing an ammonia-water solution and is predominantly observed near the poles.
The image, captured in December 2020, was released after a citizen scientist processed the data from Juno’s JunoCam instrument aboard the spacecraft in 2022. It provides a stunning view of the gas giant, showcasing a bright green dot at Jupiter’s north pole.
Shannon Brown, a Juno scientist and lead author of a related paper, explained that lightning bolts act as radio transmitters, emitting radio waves when they flash across the sky. Prior to Juno’s mission, lightning signals recorded by previous spacecraft were limited to visual detections or from the kilohertz range of the radio spectrum. Juno’s observations have expanded our understanding of Jovian lightning by searching for signals in the megahertz range.
In addition to capturing the mesmerizing neon green lightning, Juno has also observed other fascinating phenomena in Jupiter’s atmosphere. The spacecraft has documented electric blue ‘sprites’ and ‘elves’ dancing in the planet’s turbulent atmosphere. These transient luminous events, typically observed on Earth during thunderstorms, were observed for the first time on another world.
Sprites, which resemble jellyfish with long tendrils flowing down toward the ground, and elves, appearing as flattened glowing discs stretching up to 200 miles across the sky, were spotted by Juno scientists in 2020. These cosmic displays occurred 186 miles above the altitude where most of Jupiter’s lightning forms, known as its water-cloud layer.
The ongoing exploration of Jupiter by the Juno spacecraft has provided scientists with valuable insights into the mysterious planet. By capturing new images and data, Juno continues to contribute to our understanding of Jupiter’s turbulent atmosphere and its unique weather phenomena.
As scientists delve deeper into the study of Jovian lightning and other atmospheric phenomena on Jupiter, the Juno mission promises to unlock further secrets about this awe-inspiring gas giant.
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Cessed the raw data acquired by Juno’s JunoCam instrument, which captures images of Jupiter’s atmosphere. The image showcases the stunning beauty and power of Jovian lightning, with its vibrant neon green hue contrasting against the stormy background.
Jovian lightning has intrigued scientists for decades, with its similarities to Earth’s lightning system. A recent study has found that lightning on Jupiter evolves and behaves in a manner similar to lightning on our planet. This similarity suggests that the underlying physical processes that drive lightning formation are comparable on both Jupiter and Earth.
The study, conducted using data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft, reveals that Jovian lightning occurs in a similar way to terrestrial lightning. Just like on Earth, lightning on Jupiter is thought to be triggered by the presence of water and ammonia in the planet’s clouds. However, on Jupiter, these clouds contain an ammonia-water solution, creating the unique conditions necessary for Jovian lightning to occur.
Previously, Jovian lightning was captured by the Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1979, but its nature remained a mystery until the arrival of the Juno spacecraft. Juno’s numerous flybys of Jupiter have provided scientists with a wealth of data and observations, giving them the opportunity to study and understand this mesmerizing phenomenon.
The image of neon green lightning on Jupiter’s atmosphere, taken by Juno in December 2020, serves as a reminder of the extraordinary natural wonders that exist beyond our own planet. It is a testament to the incredible advancements in space exploration and the invaluable insights gained through missions like Juno.
As scientists continue to analyze the data collected by Juno and other spacecraft, our understanding of Jovian lightning and the complex dynamics of Jupiter’s atmosphere will deepen. These discoveries not only expand our knowledge of the vast and diverse universe we inhabit but also inspire awe and curiosity about the mysteries yet to be unraveled.
