Mysterious flashes of light on Venus aren't what scientists thought, according to a new study. And it could mean safer missions to the planet in the future.

• For years, scientists have observed flashes of light on Venus and thought they were lightning.
• But a new study suggests they might actually be meteors burning up in Venus' atmosphere.
• That's good news for future missions to Venus since lightning would pose a threat to spacecraft.

Scientists have observed light shows on Venus for many years and during that time, the most accepted explanation was lightning. Venus might even have more lightning than Earth, NASA said in a statement from 2007.

But a new study is forcing scientists to rethink those preconceived notions, suggesting that Venus' mysterious flashing lights are actually meteors burning up in the planet's atmosphere.