Scientists had observed some flashes of light in the Venus, believing for years that it was lightning. Yes, the NASA in her report about 15 years ago she said that Venus may have more lightning than Earth.
However, a new study shows how these flashes may be meteorites burning up in the planet’s atmosphere. As scientists report, this is about iparticularly good news for future missions to Venus, as lightning would pose a threat to spacecraft.
The study, published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planetsunderlines that an element that strengthens the assessment that it is not lightning is the silence of the radio waves.
On Earth a basic way to track a storm is to detect radio waves from lightning. But in the past, the Cassini Probe and Parker Solar Probe spacecraft, investigating these mysterious flashes on Venus, they detected no such signal despite flying by the planet.
Scientists from the University of Arizona measured the number of flashes observed and estimated that there are approximately 10,000 to 100,000 flashes per year, which are identified as “hits” by meteorites, which led the researchers to the conclusion that they are responsible for the flashes.
Furthermore, according to the latest data available to scientists, Venus has mainly sulfuric acid clouds, which are probably not capable of producing lightning.
Experts say this is particularly good news for future missions to Venus, as lightning would pose a significant threat to probes attempting to enter the planet’s atmosphere.
“Lightning is probably too rare to pose a risk to missions to Venus,” the study said, noting: “Small meteorites burn up at altitudes of about 100 km and pose no risk.”
In accordance with Space.comresearchers estimate that probes speeding down through the atmosphere of Venus are probably safe.
It is recalled that the last mission to Venus took place in the 1980s. Extreme temperatures and high pressures make the planet particularly inhospitable. NASA plans to send DAVINCI probe to study Venus’ atmosphere and geology in 2031.
Source: News Beast
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