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Science 27 September 1991:
Vol. 253. no. 5027, pp. 1522 - 1525
DOI: 10.1126/science.253.5027.1522
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Articles

Lightning and Plasma Wave Observations from the Galileo Flyby of Venus

D. A. GURNETT 1, W. S. KURTH 1, A. ROUX 2, R. GENDRIN 3, C. F. KENNEL 4, and S. J. BOLTON 5

1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
2 Centre National d'Etudes des Telecommunications/Centre de Recherches en Physique de l'Environnement, 38 Avenue du General Leclerc, 92131 Issy-les-Moulineaux-Cedex, France
3 Centre National d'Etudes des Telecommunications/Centre de Recherches en Physique de l'Environnement, 38 Avenue du General Leclerc, 92131 Issy-les-Moulineaux-Cedex, France
4 Department of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024
5 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109

During the Galileo flyby of Venus the plasma wave instrument was used to search for impulsive radio signals from lightning and to investigate locally generated plasma waves. A total of nine events were detected in the frequency range from 100 kilohertz to 5.6 megahertz. Although the signals are weak, lightning is the only known source of these signals. Near the bow shock two types of locally generated plasma waves were observed, low-frequency electromagnetic waves from about 5 to 50 hertz and electron plasma oscillation at about 45 kilohertz. The plasma oscillations have considerable fine structure, possibly because of the formation of soliton-like wave packets.

Submitted on April 26, 1991
Accepted on July 1, 1991


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Lightning Found on Venus at Last?.
R. A. KERR (1991)
Science 253, 1492
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Magnetic Field Studies of the Solar Wind Interaction with Venus from the Galileo Flyby.
M. G. KIVELSON, C. F. KENNEL, R. L. MCPHERRON, C. T. RUSSELL, D. J. SOUTHWOOD, R. J. WALKER, C. M. HAMMOND, K. K. KHURANA, R. J. STRANGEWAY, and P. J. COLEMAN (1991)
Science 253, 1518-1522
   Abstract »    PDF »
Plasma Observations at Venus with Galileo.
L. A. FRANK, W. R. PATERSON, K. L. ACKERSON, F. V. CORONITI, and V. M. VASYLIUNAS (1991)
Science 253, 1528-1531
   Abstract »    PDF »


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