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| A stunning image captured by a NASA astronaut from the International Space Station shows a giant red lightning 'sprite' erupting high above thunderstorms over Mexico and the U.S. These transient luminous events are rare, high-altitude electrical discharges. |
A fascinating and rare atmospheric phenomenon called a lightning "sprite" has been captured in remarkable detail by a NASA astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS). The striking image shows a large red burst shooting up over the border area between Mexico and the United States, giving a unique view of these seldom-seen events.The photograph, taken from the orbiting lab, offers a stunning glimpse of a transient luminous event (TLE). Sprites are large, brief flashes of light that happen high above thunderstorms, in the mesosphere—a layer of the atmosphere well above where regular lightning strikes occur. They differ from typical lightning bolts, which jump between clouds or from clouds to the ground.
"It's like seeing a giant, ethereal jellyfish blooming in the sky," said Dr. Elena Petrova, a leading atmospheric physicist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "These events are incredibly fast, lasting only milliseconds. Because they happen so high up and are often hidden by clouds, capturing them from the ground is quite challenging. However, from the ISS, astronauts have a unique chance to observe and document them."
Sprites usually appear reddish-orange and can reach upwards for tens of kilometers, often taking on different shapes, including columns, carrots, or, as shown in this recent image, a more diffuse, jellyfish-like structure. Experts believe they are triggered by powerful positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes from the thunderstorm below. The electrical charge from these strong bolts can create an electric field strong enough to break down air much higher in the atmosphere, resulting in the glowing sprite.The captured image not only provides a striking visual but also gives valuable data for scientists studying these upper-atmospheric events. Understanding sprites and other TLEs, like "elves" and "blue jets," helps researchers learn more about the electrical qualities of Earth's atmosphere, lightning dynamics, and the possible effects of these events on the global atmospheric electrical circuit.
NASA astronauts often share captivating images of Earth from the ISS, highlighting natural wonders, urban landscapes, and weather events. This new photograph of the lightning sprite is a powerful reminder of the complex and beautiful processes continually happening in our planet's atmosphere, many of which can only be truly appreciated from orbit. The data gathered from such observations continues to enhance our understanding of Earth's dynamic environment.