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Question
Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune all radiate more energy than they receive from the sun. There seems to be a small relative excess for Uranus also. Why do they radiate more than they receive?
and, is Earth the only planet to have lightning strikes in the atmosphere?
Thanks a lot
-James
Hello.
The gas giant planets you mention probably radiate a bit more energy than they receive for at least two reasons:
i) Electromagnetic storms or related atmospheric phenomena (e.g. Great Red Spot on Jupiter) which can unleash streams of ions, or electrical discharges, EM bursts etc.
ii) Possible contracting cores, which in the course of changing potential energy to internal energy release some amount of heat, etc.
As for lightning strikes in the atmosphere, Earth is not the only planet, we believe Jupiter exhibits storms and lightning discharges 10,000 times or more powerful than those on Earth.
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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