Massive Lightning Storm on Saturn

Aielman writes to tell us Yahoo News is reporting that Researchers are tracking a gigantic electrical storm on Saturn that has released lightning bolts more than one thousand times stronger than those found on Earth. The storms where first spotted earlier this year from the Cassini probe and since that time scientists have recorded 35 consecutive episodes each lasting about ten hours.

Comments

Lovely Summer Months in Southern Saturn

[eldavojohn]

These storms (and their cycles) are old news. Hubble spotted them back in 1990, the only new information we have today is how strong the lightening is. From the Solar Views article:

Although these events were separated by about 57 years (approximately 2 Saturnian years) there is yet no explanation why they apparently follow a cycle -- occurring when it is summer in Saturn's northern hemisphere.

Now that'd be interesting to know how these storms work on a two planet year cycle as our monsoons and other weather phenomenon seem to primarily operate on single planet year cycles. This area has been nicknamed "Storm Alley."

For more information on how the bands that show up on Saturn reflect weather patterns, check out the weather section on this planet at NJU.

The planet's got 30 named satellites and the most prominent feature a belt of dust and debris. I'm sure there's a lot of factors at play here--probably more than our own atmosphere. There's a lot of talk about cosmic rays actually being the cause of lightning on both Jupiter and Saturn but this topic is heavily debated.

That'd be the butt, Bob

[LunaticTippy]

Uranus is referred to by immature native english-speakers as "Your Anus." Endless laughs in the classroom. "Hey, with this telescope I can see Your Anus!"

The joke is funny because "Your Rectum" is no better. I'm hoping you know Anus and Rectum are Asshole, but lets be thorough.