Optical search for lightning on Venus

Borucki, W. J.; Dyer, John W.; Thomas, G.; Jordan, Jane; Comstock, David A.

doi:10.1029/gl008i003p00233

Cited by 41 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Borucki et al's nondetection of events (or rather a detection rate that did not exceed the false alarm background due to energetic particles) in fact derived from only 450 s of effective search time (Borucki et al 1981; another 88 s, but covering a wider area, was added in further analysis, Borucki et al 1991). The short observation period results from the fact that the observations relied on lightning emissions not being observed directly but rather scattered into the detector as stray light-even the "ashen light" from the Venus nightside saturated the detector when observed directly.…”

Section: Venera 9 and 10 Orbiter Spectrometermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pioneer Venus optical Borucki et al (1981Borucki et al ( , 1991 examined data from the star scanner on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter-an instrument and data-mining analysis much like that of Sparrow and Ney (1971) at Earth. Borucki et al's nondetection of events (or rather a detection rate that did not exceed the false alarm background due to energetic particles) in fact derived from only 450 s of effective search time (Borucki et al 1981; another 88 s, but covering a wider area, was added in further analysis, Borucki et al 1991).…”

Section: Venera 9 and 10 Orbiter Spectrometermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lightning detection on Venus: a critical review

Lorenz

2018

Prog Earth Planet Sci

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Claimed detections and nondetections of lightning and related electromagnetic emissions on Venus are qualitatively contradictory. Here, motivated by the commencement of observations by the Akatsuki spacecraft and by studies of future missions, we critically review spacecraft and ground-based observations of the past 40 years, in an attempt to reconcile the discordant reports with a minimal number of assumptions. These include invoking alternative interpretations of individual reports, guided by sensitivity thresholds, controls, and other objective benchmarks of observation integrity. The most compelling evidence is in fact the first, the very low frequency (VLF) radio emissions recorded beneath the clouds by all four of the Veneras 11-13 landers, and those data are re-examined closely, finding power-law amplitude characteristics and substantial differences between the different profiles. It is concluded that some kind of frequent electrical activity is supported by the preponderance of observations, but optical emissions are not consistent with terrestrial levels of activity. Venus' activity may, like Earth's, have strong temporal and/or spatial variability, which coupled with the relatively short accumulated observation time for optical measurements, can lead to qualitative discrepancies between observation reports. We note a number of previously unconsidered observations and outline some considerations for future observations.

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Section: Venera 9 and 10 Orbiter Spectrometermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Venera 9 and 10 Orbiter Spectrometermentioning

confidence: 99%

Lightning detection on Venus: a critical review

Lorenz

2018

Prog Earth Planet Sci

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“…Solid State Imaging (SSI) camera onboard Galileo observed Venus returned 77 useful images from Venus Belton et al (1991). If Venus lightning flashes have power characteristics and frequency of occurrence similar to those of terrestrial lightning and spectral characteristics similar to those suggested by Borucki et al (1985), then it is only marginally possible that they could have been detected by the SSI camera.…”

Section: Optical Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Lightning Detection by LAC Onboard the Japanese Venus Climate Orbiter, Planet-C

et al. 2008

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Lightning activity in Venus has been a mystery for a long period, although many studies based on observations both by spacecraft and by ground-based telescope have been carried out. This situation may be attributed to the ambiguity of these evidential measurements. In order to conclude this controversial subject, we are developing a new type of lightning detector, LAC (Lightning and Airglow Camera), which will be onboard Planet-C (Venus Climate Orbiter: VCO). Planet-C will be launched in 2010 by JAXA. To distinguish an optical lightning flash from other pulsing noises, high-speed sampling at 50 kHz for each pixel, that enables us to investigate the time variation of each lightning flash phenomenon, is adopted. On the other hand, spatial resolution is not the first priority. For this purpose we developed a new type of APD (avalanche photo diode) array with a format of 8 × 8. A narrow band interference filter at wavelength of 777.4 nm (OI), which is the expected lightning color based on laboratory discharge experiment, is chosen for lightning measurement. LAC detects lightning flash with an optical intensity of average of Earth's lightning or less at a distance of 3 Rv. In this paper, firstly we describe the background of the Venus lightning study to locate our spacecraft project, and then introduce the mission details.

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“…Borucki et al [] did optical searches at the bandwidth of 500–900 nm for lightning at Venus clouds using the star sensor in the PV orbiter and did not see signs of lightning activity. Simulations have revealed that Venusian lightning is expected to radiate strongly in the 600–900 nm, so the failure of the star sensor of PV to detect lightning was suggested to be due to either a low flash rate or low intensity of Venusian lightning [ Moroz et al ., ; Borucki et al ., ].…”

Section: Lightning Observations At Venusmentioning

confidence: 99%

An investigation of the possibility of detecting gamma‐ray flashes originating from the atmosphere of Venus

Bagheri

Dwyer

2016

JGR Space Physics

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The Runaway Electrons Avalanche Model Monte Carlo simulation is used to study the propagation of runaway electrons and gamma‐ray flashes originating from the atmosphere of Venus, and the possibility of detecting these high‐energy gamma rays at low‐Venus orbit is also investigated. Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanche (RREA) lengths and energy spectra at the Venus middle cloud levels have similar values to those of Earth at sea level, with a similar RREA threshold electric field (~286 kV/m). If electrified clouds in Venus make similar numbers of gamma rays as are made by thunderstorms on Earth during Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flashes (TGFs), then the calculated gamma‐ray fluences at low‐Venus orbit (~550 km) have an approximate range of 10−3 photons/cm2 to 4 photons/cm2 for the source altitude between 58 km and 70 km. These gamma‐ray fluences are similar to those measured by spacecraft in low‐Earth orbit from TGFs. Therefore, if TGF‐like events initiate in the middle and upper clouds of Venus, they would be detectable by spacecrafts at low‐Venus orbit.

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Optical search for lightning on Venus

Cited by 41 publications

References 20 publications

Lightning detection on Venus: a critical review

Lightning detection on Venus: a critical review

Lightning Detection by LAC Onboard the Japanese Venus Climate Orbiter, Planet-C

An investigation of the possibility of detecting gamma‐ray flashes originating from the atmosphere of Venus

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