Lightning detection in planetary atmospheres

TL;DR

This paper reviews current techniques and observations of planetary lightning detection across spacecraft, landers, and radio telescopes, and discusses upcoming missions that may enhance our understanding of lightning in planetary atmospheres.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of existing detection methods, recent observations, and future missions targeting planetary lightning phenomena.

Findings

Lightning detection techniques have been successfully applied in various planetary environments.

Recent observations have confirmed lightning activity on planets like Venus.

Upcoming missions are expected to significantly improve lightning detection capabilities.

Abstract

Lightning in planetary atmospheres is now a well-established concept. Here we discuss the available detection techniques for, and observations of, planetary lightning by spacecraft, planetary landers and, increasingly, sophisticated terrestrial radio telescopes. Future space missions carrying lightning-related instrumentation are also summarised, specifically the European ExoMars mission and Japanese Akatsuki mission to Venus, which could both yield lightning observations in 2016.