Detectability of sprites above lightning storms on the giant planets

Large sprite discharges at mesospheric altitudes on Earth have been found to be physically similar to streamer discharges in air at sea level density. Based on this understanding, we investigate possible sprite discharges on the Gas Giant planets through laboratory experiments on streamers in H2-He gas mixture. Streamer diameters, radiance, and emission spectra are investigated and compared to similar discharges in artificial air and to terrestrial sprites. We evaluate the possible luminosity of planetary sprites based on relationships between electric charge moment change during a lightning strike and its optical energy as inferred from satellite data.