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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6818
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-1-29
pubmed:abstractText
The detection of impulsive low-frequency (10 to 80 kHz) radio signals, and separate very-low-frequency (approximately 100 Hz) radio 'whistler' signals provided the first evidence for lightning in the atmosphere of Venus. Later, a small number of impulsive high-frequency (100 kHz to 5.6 MHz) radio signals, possibly due to lightning, were also detected. The existence of lightning at Venus has, however, remained controversial. Here we report the results of a search for high-frequency (0.125 to 16 MHz) radio signals during two close fly-bys of Venus by the Cassini spacecraft. Such signals are characteristic of terrestrial lightning, and are commonly heard on AM (amplitude-modulated) radios during thunderstorms. Although the instrument easily detected signals from terrestrial lightning during a later fly-by of Earth (at a global flash rate estimated to be 70 s(-1), which is consistent with the rate expected for terrestrial lightning), no similar signals were detected from Venus. If lightning exists in the venusian atmosphere, it is either extremely rare, or very different from terrestrial lightning.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:status
PubMed-not-MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
0028-0836
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
18
pubmed:volume
409
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
313-5
pubmed:dateRevised
2003-10-31
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
Non-detection at Venus of high-frequency radio signals characteristic of terrestrial lightning.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA. donald-gurnett@uiowa.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article