Lightning mystery rises ahead of ISRO's Shukrayaan-1 mission

Venus, resembling Earth in its ancient history, has captivated scientists with its harsh environment, extreme temperatures, and unbreathable atmosphere.

Venus is known for its dense carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, extreme temperatures reaching 900 degrees Fahrenheit, and high atmospheric pressure, making it inhospitable. 

Shukrayaan-1 mission: ISRO is set to embark on its inaugural mission to explore Venus' surface in December 2024. The mission aims to unveil the mysteries of Venus.

Ahead of that, concerning the planet Venus, an intriguing challenge has cropped up. Researchers from the University of Colorado have disputed the frequency of lightning on Venus, suggesting it may be less frequent than previously believed.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe: NASA's Parker Probe, designed for solar studies, detected "whistler waves" during a Venus flyby, sparking debate.

New analysis indicates that the detected whistler waves on Venus might not be associated with lightning but instead linked to disturbances in the planet's weak magnetic fields.

This discovery aligns with a 2021 study that also failed to detect radio waves from lightning strikes on Venus.

The debate on Venus and lightning dates back to 1978 when NASA's Pioneer Venus spacecraft detected whistler waves, leading to speculation of frequent lightning.

Researchers observed a peculiar pattern in Venus' whistler waves, moving downward instead of outward, suggesting a potential cause of magnetic reconnection.

The research team plans to gather more data in November 2024 as the Parker Solar Probe makes its final pass by Venus, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of Venus' atmospheric phenomena.