Juno Data Shows Jupiter Lightning 100 Times Stronger Than Earths

Scientists analyzing data from NASA's Juno spacecraft have determined that lightning on Jupiter can be at least 100 times more powerful than typical bolts on Earth, with some estimates suggesting it could reach a million times greater intensity. The findings, based on observations from 2021 and 2022, reveal a range of lightning strengths similar to Earth's but amplified by the gas giant's massive storms.

Juno, which has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016, used its microwave radiometer instrument to detect radio emissions from lightning, providing a clearer measurement than previous visual observations obscured by the planet's thick clouds. Earlier spacecraft missions had identified powerful flashes on Jupiter's night side, leading researchers to classify them as akin to Earth's rare superbolts. However, Juno's sensitive instruments captured both strong and weaker pulses, indicating a broader spectrum of activity.

The study focused on a period of unusually calm weather in Jupiter's North Equatorial Belt, where multiple storms typically overlap, complicating detection. During this lull, researchers isolated four "stealth superstorms," which persisted for months and altered global...