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http://www.astrobio.net/news/module...=article&sid=1355&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0As NASA¹s Cassini spacecraft approached Saturn last July, it found evidence that lightning on Saturn is roughly one million times stronger than lightning on Earth.
That's just one of several Cassini findings that University of Iowa Space Physicist Don Gurnett will present in a paper published Thursday, Dec. 16 in Science Express, an online version of the journal Science, and in a talk to be delivered at the December meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.
Other findings include:[continued]
Cassini's findings about lightning on Saturn have provided scientists with valuable information about the planet's atmosphere and weather patterns. The data collected has helped to improve our understanding of lightning on other planets, including Earth.
According to Cassini's findings, Saturn's lightning can be up to 10^6 times stronger than Earth's. This is due to the planet's larger size, faster rotation, and unique atmospheric conditions.
One of the main factors contributing to Saturn's stronger lightning is its large size. The planet's immense gravitational pull causes particles in the atmosphere to collide at high speeds, creating intense electrical charges. Additionally, the fast rotation speed of Saturn also plays a role in generating strong lightning.
Cassini uses an instrument called the Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) instrument to detect and measure lightning on Saturn. This instrument can detect radio waves emitted by lightning strikes, allowing scientists to map the locations and strength of lightning storms on the planet.
In addition to studying lightning, Cassini has also provided insight into Saturn's complex cloud patterns, including the discovery of a massive storm that lasted for several months. The spacecraft has also detected evidence of water vapor in the atmosphere and observed the changing seasons on the planet.