"Shadow Lightning" and "Mushballs" on Jupiter

 On August 5th, 2020, the Juno space probe took some very bizarre photos of the surface of the atmosphere on Jupiter. The phenomenon, being called “Shadow Lightning” occurs because an electrical discharge originates from the ammonia-nitrate-filled clouds. On Earth, lightning is caused when electrical discharge originates on water-filled clouds. “Mushballs” is when multiple violent “Shadow Lightning” storms occur at once. These “Mushballs” help move ammonia-nitrate throughout Jupiter’s atmosphere. 

Artists Rendering of Storms on Jupiter

“Mushball” clouds were first observed by the Voyager mission back in 1979. These rare occurrences The storms occur 28 to 40 miles below the cloud line and the average temperature during these storms is 32℉. However, because of the thunderstorms, pieces of water-ice crystals are flung over 16 miles above the clouds, causing them to reach a temperature of -126℉. Because the temperature is too cold for pure liquid water to exist, the molecules are forced to bind with ammonia and nitrogen in the clouds. When they approach the surface of Jupiter, water starts to freeze around it and they start to fall, causing “Mushballs” and negative discharges in the air. 

The space probe that discovered this was Juno, which was launched on August 5, 2011. Its main mission is to study the planet Jupiter.

Juno Orbting Jupiter

It will do this by taking multiple pictures and sending them to JPL as well as gathering all the data it can about the planet and its moons by using its onboard tools. Its mission is scheduled to end on July 30, 2021. It will enter Jupiter's atmosphere and burn up on reentry.

Even though the end of the Juno mission is soon approaching, we have learned lots about Jupiter. The Juno mission has helped us gather crucial information on Jupiter and it has also allowed us to think of future plans to explore Jupiter as well as its many moons.

Image Captured by Juno

Sources:

Greicius, Tony. “'Shallow Lightning' and 'Mushballs' Reveal Ammonia to NASA's Juno Scie.” NASA, NASA, 5 Aug. 2020, www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/shallow-lightning-and-mushballs-reveal-ammonia-to-nasas-juno-scientists. 

“Juno.” NASA, NASA, www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/juno/.