Recently, astronauts onboard the International Space Station were left astonished when they captured footage of mysterious red lights flickering in Earth’s atmosphere.
Astronauts spotted mysterious red light in Earth’s atmosphere
On June 3, an awe-inspiring photograph was captured by Matthew Dominick, the commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission.
‘Super lucky a few weeks ago when shooting a timelapse of a lightning storm off the coast of South Africa. ‘One of the frames in the timelapse had a red sprite,’
‘If there are any red sprite experts out there I would enjoy tips on how to capture more of these,’ he added.
‘Clearly, look for lightning storms, but I’m thinking the stronger the storm the better.’
‘Red sprite’ lightning.
This rare phenomenon, known as red sprite lightning, has intrigued scientists and space enthusiasts.
Red sprite lightning occurs high above thunderstorms, reaching altitudes of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers).
These elusive electrical discharges are brief, lasting only milliseconds, making them difficult to observe and capture.
The red coloration comes from nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere being excited by the electrical discharge, emitting a reddish-orange glow.
The astronauts, equipped with specialized cameras, managed to record several instances of these red sprite lightning events.
The footage offers insights into studying its characteristics and occurrence.
The footage provides valuable insights into this atmospheric phenomenon, offering scientists an opportunity to study its characteristics and occurrence.
Red sprites have captured the interest of scientists for quite some time. These mesmerizing phenomena are just one of the many electrical events that take place in Earth’s atmosphere.
The discovery of red sprites dates back to the late 1980s when they were first observed from ground-based observations.
Since then, advancements in technology have allowed for more detailed observations, including from high-altitude platforms like the International Space Station.
The occurrence of red sprites is linked to intense thunderstorms, where large electrical discharges create the conditions necessary for their formation.
They typically appear above thunderstorm systems and are often associated with powerful lightning strikes and thunderstorm activity.
Blue jets and elves.
In addition to red sprites, astronauts have also documented other atmospheric phenomena such as blue jets and elves.
These events, collectively known as transient luminous events (TLEs), occur at different altitudes and under varying atmospheric conditions.
The footage captured by astronauts not only provides visual documentation of these phenomena but also contributes to ongoing scientific research.
By analyzing the characteristics and frequency of TLEs, scientists can improve their models of atmospheric electricity and refine our understanding of Earth’s atmospheric dynamics.
Dr. Burcu Kosar, a space physicist and the principal investigator for the Spectacular project, aims to connect unintentional photographers who capture phenomena like red sprites with the scientists who study them.
She observed that people often capture stunning images of sprites, but these photographs are shared sporadically across the internet, resulting in limited awareness within the scientific community.
To bridge this gap, the Spectacular project, led by Dr. Kosar, collaborates with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
This initiative seeks to establish a platform where these remarkable images can be shared, allowing scientists to access and analyze the data.
By facilitating this collaboration between photographers and researchers, Spectacular aims to enhance scientific understanding and appreciation of captivating atmospheric phenomena like red sprites.