08.20.20

Juno's Detects Jupiter Lightning at Many Wavelengths

Jupiter produces lightning at multiple wavelengths, similar to the lightning we experience on Earth.  The Juno observations teach us how lightning is generated and how it connects to Jupiter’s massive storms system.

Jovian and terrestrial lightning produce both optical flashes and strong radio impulses. 

Juno performed the first multi-instrument investigation of Jovian lightning - 3 types of light from radio to optical, from radio to optical, from tens of Hz, to 1.2 GHz, to hundreds of THz (visible light). 

Juno has detected over 2400 individual lightning events so far.

Observations of lightning provide new insights on how and where lightning is generated as well as how Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics and massive storms work.