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Detailed Reference Information |
Kaiser, M.L., Zarka, P., Desch, M.D. and Farrell, W.M. (1991). Restrictions on the characteristics of Neptunian lightning. Journal of Geophysical Research 96: doi: 10.1029/91JA01599. issn: 0148-0227. |
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Although lightning-triggered whistlers were detected by the Voyager 2 plasma wave experiment at Neptune, only four possible lightning sferics were detected by the planetary radio astronomy instrument. This low level of detection places strict limits on the characteristics of Neptunian lightning, ruling out lightning with power levels as high as those observed at Saturn or Uranus, but leaving the intriguing possibility that lightning slightly stronger than normal terrestrial lightning flashes but with much lower occurrence rate could exist. Possible scenarios to explain the observations are examined, including reduced NH3 concentration in the planet's atmosphere and an unusually slow risetime discharge process. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1991 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Lightning, Solar Physics, Astrophysics, and Astronomy, Radio emissions, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric electricity |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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