Galileo Images of Lightning on Jupiter

摘要: In October and November of 1997 the Galileo Solid State Imager (SSI) detected lightning from 26 storms on night side Jupiter. More than half surface area planet was surveyed. The data include images against moonlit clouds (illuminated by light Io) same storm day sides. spatial resolution ranged 23 to 134 km per pixel, while in size up ∼1500 km. Most were imaged more once, they typically exhibit many flashes minute. occur only areas cyclonic shear near centers westward jets. Latitudes 50° both hemispheres are particularly active, although northern hemisphere has overall. greatest optical energy observed a single flash 1.6×10^(10) J, which is several times larger terrestrial superbolts. average power unit 3× 10^(−7) W m^(−2), close value. limited color information consistent with line continuum emission atomic hydrogen helium. intensity profiles resolved strikes bell-shaped, half-width at half-maximum ranging ∼45 80 We used these widths infer depth strikes, assuming that appearance each result scattering point source below cloudtops. conclude must be occurring within or jovian water cloud. occurrence regions important implications for dynamics Jupiter's atmosphere.