Key Takeaways
1. Astronaut Nichole Ayers captured a rare photograph of a sprite while on the ISS, a phenomenon associated with severe thunderstorms.
2. Sprites are Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) that occur above clouds and are caused by strong electrical activity in thunderstorms.
3. Capturing sprites is challenging as they last only a few milliseconds and are not commonly seen.
4. Sprites can reach heights of up to 60 miles above the cloud where they form and are typically visible only at night using special equipment.
5. Photography of sprites can help scientists and meteorologists better understand their formation and relationship with thunderstorms, providing valuable insights into atmospheric phenomena.
From the ISS, which is about 400 km high, astronauts get to see various natural events. Recently, an astronaut captured a stunning and rare photograph.
Astronaut’s Achievement
Nichole Ayers, who has been on the ISS since last March, accomplished this remarkable task. In her image, a sprite is visible, a phenomenon not widely known that typically happens during severe thunderstorms. It appears as a “tornado of light,” with a bluish-white base and a bright red top. Additionally, capturing this phenomenon on camera is quite challenging since it lasts only a few milliseconds and is not very common.
A Special Moment
When she shared this amazing photo on X, the astronaut wrote: “Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the US this morning, I caught this sprite. Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, which occur above clouds and are caused by strong electrical activity in the thunderstorms below. We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms.”
Insights into Sprites
It’s important to mention that, as per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sprites can reach heights of up to 60 miles from the top of the cumulonimbus cloud where they form. Moreover, they can only be seen at night using special equipment, because of their relatively low brightness.
Also, the CNRS states that this phenomenon has been researched since the late 1990s. Even though they take place in the upper atmosphere, their origins are still not well understood and many theories exist. Nevertheless, this kind of photography can greatly assist scientists and meteorologists. Given the rarity of images of this phenomenon, each picture can be an invaluable resource and offer insights into the remaining mysteries.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply