Which mission first detected lightning on another planet?
Quick Answer
Voyager and later missions provided evidence of lightning on Jupiter, but the first strong direct observations of lightning on another planet came from the Galileo probe and orbiter in the 1990s. Jupiter is the best-known example.
The Full Story
Lightning has been detected on other planets, with Jupiter being the clearest and most studied case. Early hints came from Voyager flybys, but the Galileo mission in the 1990s provided much stronger direct evidence through in situ measurements and imaging. Jupiter’s powerful storms generate electrical activity in its deep atmosphere. These observations showed that lightning is not unique to Earth and can occur in very different planetary environments.
Key Facts
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"Lightning storms on a giant planet!"
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