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Coupling between atmospheric layers in gaseous giant planets due to lightning‐generated electromagnetic pulses
Author(s) -
Luque A.,
Dubrovin D.,
GordilloVázquez F. J.,
Ebert U.,
ParraRojas F. C.,
Yair Y.,
Price C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2014ja020457
Subject(s) - ionosphere , lightning (connector) , planet , physics , electromagnetic pulse , saturn , jupiter (rocket family) , ionization , astrobiology , atmospheric electricity , gas giant , exoplanet , atmospheric sciences , astronomy , geophysics , ion , optics , electric field , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , space shuttle
Atmospheric electricity has been detected in all gaseous giants of our solar system and is therefore likely present also in extrasolar planets. Building upon measurements from Saturn and Jupiter, we investigate how the electromagnetic pulse emitted by a lightning stroke affects upper layers of a gaseous giant. This effect is probably significantly stronger than that on Earth. We find that electrically active storms may create a localized but long‐lasting layer of enhanced ionization of up to 10 3 cm −3 free electrons below the ionosphere, thus extending the ionosphere downward. We also estimate that the electromagnetic pulse transports 10 7 J to 10 10 J toward the ionosphere. There emissions of light of up to 10 8 J would create a transient luminous event analogous to a terrestrial “elve.”