<p>According to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning" rel="nofollow noreferrer">wikipedia</a> page, there are two preconditions necessary for lightning:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Firstly, a sufficiently high potential difference between two regions
of space must exist, and secondly, a high-resistance medium must
obstruct the free, unimpeded equalization of the opposite charges. The
atmosphere provides the electrical insulation, or barrier, that
prevents free equalization between charged regions of opposite
polarity</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Since the &quot;string of pearls&quot; are <a href="https://calteches.library.caltech.edu/4616/1/Jupiters%20Pearls.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">massive counterclockwise rotating storms</a>, one would presume that high potential differences would exist in these turbulent regions. So the only remaining reason for not having lightning would be if there was an electrically conductive atmosphere.  But there are numerous examples of lightning strikes in storms in Jupiter, so, unless the atmosphere at the Pearls is somehow different than the rest of Jupiter, one would expect lightning there as well. Indeed, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Jupiter" rel="nofollow noreferrer">&quot;storms on Jupiter are always associated with lightning&quot;</a>.</p>
<p>From NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/shallow-lightning-and-mushballs-reveal-ammonia-to-nasas-juno-scientists" rel="nofollow noreferrer">website</a>, here is a diagram of one of the mechanisms thought to be responsible for lightning on Jupiter:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/3etAv.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/3etAv.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>In conclusion, if you want a reason not to have lightning at the string of pearls, there would need to be little or no turbulence or an an electrically conductive atmosphere.  Since neither of these conditions is the case, one could expect lightning at these storms.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-07T16:53:36.907Z
2020-12-07T16:53:36.907Z
Connor Garcia
<p>Is there any reason there couldn't be lightning in the storms that make up <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/jupiter-s-7th-pearl" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Jupiter's &quot;string of pearls?&quot;</a></p>
<p>Addendum:I'm writing a science fiction novel, with a ship passing by Jupiter and lightning is seen in one of those storms. I don't want to be in the position where someone says, &quot;No way, there wouldn't be lightning in one of those storms.&quot;</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-06T15:58:39.353Z
I think the difficulty with this question is that lightning is so universally common in Jupiter's clouds,  that a specfic answer is hard to find. The answer must be "yes" because there is lightning everywhere in Jupiter's clouds.  Perhaps if you added context "why I doubt that there is lightning in the string of pearls"  The phrasing of the question is also awkward, it is as if you want the answer to be "no".
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-07T05:17:48.307Z
@JamesK I'm writing a science fiction novel, with a ship passing by Jupiter and lightning is seen in one of those storms. I don't want to be in the position where someone says, "No way, there wouldn't be lightning in one of those storms." BTW, I didn't know there was lightning everywhere on Jupiter. Thanks.
Bob516
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-07T17:35:09.087Z
Apparently, there is no lightning at the equator of Jupiter since it isn't turbulent there: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/juno-solves-39-year-old-mystery-of-jupiter-lightning .  But the 'string of pearls' is at approximately 40 degrees South Latitude.
Connor Garcia
<jupiter>
Lightning in Jupiter's "string of pearls?"
Bob516
# Lightning in Jupiter's "string of pearls?"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-12-04)

Is there any reason there couldn't be lightning in the storms that make up [Jupiter's "string of pearls?"](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/jupiter-s-7th-pearl)

Addendum:I'm writing a science fiction novel, with a ship passing by Jupiter and lightning is seen in one of those storms. I don't want to be in the position where someone says, "No way, there wouldn't be lightning in one of those storms."

**Tags:** jupiter
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think the difficulty with this question is that lightning is so universally common in Jupiter's clouds,  that a specfic answer is hard to find. The answer must be "yes" because there is lightning everywhere in Jupiter's clouds.  Perhaps if you added context "why I doubt that there is lightning in the string of pearls"  The phrasing of the question is also awkward, it is as if you want the answer to be "no".  
> **username_0**: @JamesK I'm writing a science fiction novel, with a ship passing by Jupiter and lightning is seen in one of those storms. I don't want to be in the position where someone says, "No way, there wouldn't be lightning in one of those storms." BTW, I didn't know there was lightning everywhere on Jupiter. Thanks.  
> **username_2**: Apparently, there is no lightning at the equator of Jupiter since it isn't turbulent there: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/juno-solves-39-year-old-mystery-of-jupiter-lightning .  But the 'string of pearls' is at approximately 40 degrees South Latitude.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-12-07. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

According to the [wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning) page, there are two preconditions necessary for lightning:

> Firstly, a sufficiently high potential difference between two regions
> of space must exist, and secondly, a high-resistance medium must
> obstruct the free, unimpeded equalization of the opposite charges. The
> atmosphere provides the electrical insulation, or barrier, that
> prevents free equalization between charged regions of opposite
> polarity

Since the "string of pearls" are [massive counterclockwise rotating storms](https://calteches.library.caltech.edu/4616/1/Jupiters%20Pearls.pdf), one would presume that high potential differences would exist in these turbulent regions. So the only remaining reason for not having lightning would be if there was an electrically conductive atmosphere. But there are numerous examples of lightning strikes in storms in Jupiter, so, unless the atmosphere at the Pearls is somehow different than the rest of Jupiter, one would expect lightning there as well. Indeed, ["storms on Jupiter are always associated with lightning"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Jupiter).

From NASA's [website](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/shallow-lightning-and-mushballs-reveal-ammonia-to-nasas-juno-scientists), here is a diagram of one of the mechanisms thought to be responsible for lightning on Jupiter:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/3etAv.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/3etAv.jpg)

In conclusion, if you want a reason not to have lightning at the string of pearls, there would need to be little or no turbulence or an an electrically conductive atmosphere. Since neither of these conditions is the case, one could expect lightning at these storms.


---

