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Credit & Copyright: The Galileo Project,
NASA
Explanation:
Why is there
lightning on Jupiter?
Lightning is a sudden rush of electrically charged particles from one location to another.
To create lightning, charges must first separate inside a cloud. On
Earth,
drafts of colliding ice and water droplets
usually create this charge separation,
but what happens on
Jupiter?
Many astronomers theorize that
Jovian lightning is also created in clouds containing water ice.
To help investigate this, the
above photograph
was taken in October by the
Galileo spacecraft now orbiting
Jupiter.
Clouds are dimly lit by sunlight reflected off Jupiter's moon
Io.
The bright flashes appear to originate in active regions
at the level where water clouds would exist,
and illuminate an even lower cloud level containing
ammonia. One thing is for sure:
lightning on Jupiter is a lot brighter than lighting on Earth.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Jupiter - lightning
Publications with words: Jupiter - lightning
See also: