Lightning was detected by Voyager 2 at Uranus and Neptune, and weaker electrical processes also occur throughout planetary atmospheres from galactic cosmic ray (GCR) ionisation. Lightning is an indicator of convection, whereas electrical processes away from storms modulate cloud formation and chemistry, particularly if there is little insolation to drive other mechanisms. The ice giants appear to be unique in the Solar System in that they are distant enough from the Sun for GCR-related mechanisms to be significant for clouds and climate, yet also convective enough for lightning to occur. This paper reviews observations (both from Voyager 2 and Earth), data analysis and modelling, and considers options for future missions. Radio, energetic particle and magnetic instruments are recommended for future orbiters, and Huygens-like atmospheric electricity sensors for in situ observations. Uranian lightning is also expected to be detectable from terrestrial radio telescopes.

中文翻译：

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冰巨人的大气电

航海者 2 号在天王星和海王星上探测到闪电，而且由于银河宇宙射线 (GCR) 电离，整个行星大气中也发生了较弱的电过程。闪电是对流的一个指标，而远离风暴的电过程会调节云的形成和化学反应，特别是在几乎没有日照来驱动其他机制的情况下。冰巨星在太阳系中似乎是独一无二的，因为它们离太阳足够远，因此与 GCR 相关的机制对云和气候很重要，而且对流也足以使闪电发生。本文回顾了观测（来自航海者 2 号和地球）、数据分析和建模，并考虑了未来任务的选择。建议未来的轨道飞行器使用无线电、高能粒子和磁性仪器，和惠更斯式大气电传感器，用于原位观测。预计也可以从地面射电望远镜探测到天王星闪电。