Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
Nobody knows what causes lightning.
Nevertheless, lightning bolts are common in clouds during rainstorms, and on average 6000 lightning bolts occur between clouds and the Earth every minute. Above , several lightning strokes were photographed behind Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona . Lightning has also been found on the planets Venus , Jupiter , Saturn , and Uranus . NASA launched the TRMM mission in 1997 that continues to measure rainfall and lightning on planet Earth . Specific rights apply .