Lightning detection on the Venus Express mission

Abstract

Radio waves and optical flashes consistent with the lightning generation have been reported frequently at Venus. These observations point to the presence of electrical discharges in the sulfuric acid clouds of Venus. A particularly strong whistler-mode signal has been found propagating parallel to the magnetic field in the night ionosphere near 100 Hz by the Pioneer Venus spacecraft. At high (radio) frequencies, intermittent signals are also seen reminiscent of terrestrial lightning. However, these signals appear to be weaker than their terrestrial counterparts. On Venus Express, the magnetometer bandwidth is sufficient to record the lightning signals propagating in the whistler mode and will be used to map the occurrence of lightning across the nightside of the planet.