Table 1 Timeline of lightning studies. Venus dates correspond to relevant publications, rather than data acquisition, generally only a year or so earlier

1959–1964

Mariner 2 encounter with Venus; hot greenhouse atmosphere identified

Whistlers first observed by satellites—Vanguard III, Alouette, Injuns 3 and 5

1967

First in situ measurements—Venera 4

1970–1

Optical flashes mapped by OSO-2 and OSO-5 satellites

1972

Venera 8 reaches surface

1975

Veneras 9 and 10 landers + Orbiters. V-9 orbiter records possible flashes

RF lightning emissions mapped by UK satellite Ariel 4

1979

VLF Discharges measured by Venera 11, 12 landers

1979–80

Pioneer Venus Orbiter detects electric ELF whistlers

1983

Veneras 13 and 14 confirm VLF discharges

1986

VEGA balloons float in Venus atmosphere

1989

NLDN provides continuous US continental-scale lightning mapping

1989

Magellan spacecraft launched

Sprites first photographed

1994

Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) discovered

1997

FORTE satellite: both optical and RF detections TRMM satellite studies storms and lightning

2004

DEMETER satellite. World-Wide Lightning Network (WWLN) established

2007

Venus Express detects magnetic ELF Whistlers

2008

C/NOFS satellite

2010

Akatsuki launched

2016

GOES-16 with Geostationary Lightning Mapper