Lightning on Jupiter: how it occurs

NASA’s Juno probe has been orbiting Jupiter since July 2016 and has been making detailed observations of it.

During one such flyby, the probe captured a photo of a greenish glow from a lightning strike inside a swirling vortex near Jupiter’s north pole, Space reported.

At that time, the spacecraft was at an altitude of 32,000 kilometers above the tops of the planet’s clouds.

“Juno” it was not the first time we had to face each other with lightning on Jupiter. The spacecraft observed many impacts in the planet’s atmosphere. Thanks to this, scientists found out that the lightning on the gas giant is very similar to the ones we see on Earth.

A lightning strike in the clouds near Jupiter’s north pole. Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS.

However, on Earth, lightning originates from clouds and most often occurs near the equator. On Jupiter, lightning probably also occurs in clouds, but in clouds that contain aqueous ammonia, and is most often seen near the poles.

So far, Juno has made 51 flybys of Jupiter. The next one will be held on June 23, 2023. The first 35 were conducted during the main mission, which ended in July 2021. Probe data helped scientists have a much better understanding of the structure, formation and evolution of Jupiter.

“Many of Juno’s discoveries have changed our understanding of Jupiter’s atmosphere and interior”– NASA representatives wrote in the mission description.

Juno is currently on an extended mission that will last until at least September 2025, if the spacecraft survives Jupiter’s harsh radiation environment. During the extended mission, the probe will study the entire Jupiter system, its rings and numerous moons.

Read also: Water was found on a comet between Jupiter and Mars