An artist's rendition released by the European Space Agency on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 shows lightning striking the surface of planet Venus. Nearby planet Venus is looking a bit more Earth-like with frequent bursts of lightning confirmed by a new European space probe. For nearly three decades, astronomers have said Venus probably had lightning, ever since a 1978 NASA probe showed signs of electrical activity in its atmosphere. But experts were not sure because of signal interference. (Photo: Xinhuanet/Agency) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- European scientists confirmed that there are Earth-like lightning on Venus, media reported Thursday.

    The lightning is cloud-to-cloud and about 60 kilometers above the surface, said C.T. Russell, geophysics professor of  University of California, U.S.

    The finding is significant because lightning affects atmospheric chemistry, so scientists will have to take it into account as they try to understand the atmosphere and climate of Venus.

    Bursts of electrical energy from lightning are something that scientists have long theorized could provide the spark of life in primordial ooze.

    (Agencies)