Latest news with #TLE
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronaut captures amazing red sprite phenomenon from space
Speeding around the Earth at 28,000 km/h, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured an incredible view of a phenomenon known as a red sprite. Here's the science behind this 'transient luminous event'. Lightning flashes through the air several million times every day, all around the world. The vast majority of those bolts occur inside clouds, between different clouds, or between the clouds and the ground. They happen as a result of large build-ups of negative or positive charge within clouds and along the ground, and act to balance out those charges. A small fraction of these discharges — about one in every 1,600 on average — actually occur above the clouds. These 'transient luminous events' or TLEs happen when the charge build-up within a thunderstorm balances out between the cloud and the upper atmosphere, near the edge of space. The different forms of transient luminous events. (NOAA) On July 3, 2025, from her vantage point in the cupola of the International Space Station, astronaut Nichole Ayers was snapping pictures of thunderstorms as the station passed over Mexico and the United States. In a spectacular feat of timing, one of her photographs managed to catch one of these TLEs, known as a red sprite, right in the middle of discharging! This cropped view of the image snapped by astronaut Nichole Ayers zooms in on the red sprite she captured on July 3, 2025. (astro_ayers/X/NASA) READ MORE: Sprites are rapid flashes of red light that occur high up in the atmosphere, over 50 kilometres above the ground. While they are referred to as upper atmospheric lightning, the only thing red sprites have in common with the typical form of lightning we see is the movement of electric charge from one part of the atmosphere to another. Other than that, they are very different phenomena. Another sprite seen from the ISS on August 10, 2015, over Central America. (NASA) Lightning only occurs in the lowest part of the atmosphere — the troposphere — and as it flashes through the air, it heats that air to temperatures hotter than the surface of the Sun. Sprites, on the other hand, only happen in the thin upper atmosphere — the mesosphere and ionosphere — and they are a cold plasma phenomenon. Their glow probably has more in common with that of a fluorescent light bulb, or the Aurora Borealis. The colour of a sprite comes from the fact that our atmosphere is mostly nitrogen. When an air molecule becomes energized, one of the electrons orbiting around it will jump up to a higher level. To return to its 'ground state', where the electron drops back down into its normal orbit, it emits a flash of light to dump its excess energy. In the case of nitrogen, the light emitted has a very strong red component, along with a bit of blue and purple. This immense 'jellyfish sprite' was captured over a storm in West Texas on July 2, 2020. (Stephen Hummel) It seems that we've known about sprites, or at least transient luminous events in general, for around 300 years. According to NASA, pilots apparently were reporting sightings of them since the first military and commercial flights in the early part of the 20th century. It wasn't until 1989, though, that they were finally caught on camera. While we know what sprites are, explaining how they form is a bit more challenging. However, here's what we know, as well as what researchers speculate, about the process. The formation of a sprite starts inside a thunderstorm. There, the exchange of electrons between colliding ice crystals and snow pellets produces distinct regions of electric charge within the cloud. Weak positive charge collects at the base, strong negative charge accumulates in the middle, and strong positive charge builds at the top. Most often, lightning will balance the negative charge at the core of the cloud by linking it with a region of positive charge on the ground, inside another nearby cloud, or even within the same cloud. This is the common negative lightning that occurs millions of times per day. The likely distribution of electric charge of a cumulonimbus cloud has been drawn onto this User-generated Content image of a storm taken on Aug 27, 2022, from Carrot River, SK, and uploaded to the Weather Network's UGC gallery. (Fran Bryson/UGC) Occasionally, though, the strong positive charge accumulated at the top of the thunderstorm cloud has a chance to discharge, by linking with a region of negative charge along the ground. When this happens, we see a powerful stroke of positive lightning. This appears to be the point where a sprite has a chance to form. Normally, as a thunderstorm cloud is rolling along through the troposphere, at the same time, the air much higher up has a strong positive charge due to interactions with particles streaming into the atmosphere from space. Usually, this upper atmospheric positive charge doesn't have anywhere to go. It needs a region of negative charge to balance out. The negatively charged core of the thunderstorm could do this. However, the positive charge accumulated at the top of the cloud stands in the way. When a positive lightning strike lances out between the top of the cloud and the ground, though, much of that excess positive charge is stripped away. At that moment, the negative charge in the middle of the cloud becomes directly exposed to the positively charged mesosphere, allowing a connection to form. Based on observations, sprites are almost always preceded by a positive lightning strike. Thus, they are a potential trigger for the phenomenon. Even so, a positive lightning strike doesn't always guarantee that a sprite will appear. Thus, it's likely that some other component needs to be present for the sprite to form. That other component could be gravity waves. The video above was recorded from atop Mount Locke in West Texas, in May 2020, by Stephen Hummel, the dark sky specialist at the McDonald Observatory. In the video, gravity waves can clearly be seen, illuminated by a phenomenon called airglow, radiating away from a storm along the horizon to the lower right. Amid the gravity waves streaming through the field of view, several sprites are also captured (watch closely at 1s, 3s, 7s and 12s into the video). Gravity waves behave like ripples on the surface of a pond, with air rising and falling as it tries to balance out the forces of gravity and buoyancy. When a powerful thunderstorm's strong updraft winds reach the top of the troposphere, they are deflected by the stable air of the lower stratosphere, and are forced to spread outward instead. Research has already shown that the action of gravity waves can have an impact on the upper atmosphere. This could be another way they influence what happens, far above the surface. Now, exactly how gravity waves might play a role in sprite formation isn't yet known. Some researchers have noted that sprites appear to form at what they call "plasma irregularities" in the ionosphere. However, these irregularities are themselves, also a mystery. It could be that gravity waves play a role in forming these irregularities. For now, though, no one knows. To understand this phenomenon better, more sightings, more captures, and more research are required. Click here to view the video
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA astronaut captures rare red sprite from International Space Station: What the Striking image reveals
A breathtaking photograph taken from the International Space Station (ISS) by NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers has captured one of Earth's most elusive atmospheric phenomena: the red sprite . Snapped as the space station passed over Mexico and the United States on July 3, 2025, the image shows a vivid red column shooting upward from a bluish halo in the night sky. Shared on X (formerly Twitter), the photo quickly went viral, amassing over 2.7 million views. While visually stunning, the sprite is also of great scientific interest, offering insight into rarely observed electrical events in Earth's upper atmosphere. What is a Red Sprite captured by NASA astronauts Red sprites are a type of Transient Luminous Event (TLE), which are upper-atmospheric electrical discharges that differ significantly from ordinary lightning. Occurring 30 to 60 miles above Earth's surface, red sprites appear as red or pink flashes caused by energetic electrons colliding with nitrogen molecules. Unlike traditional lightning, which travels downward, sprites shoot upward into the mesosphere and can resemble jellyfish or columns. These phenomena were first photographed in the late 1980s, although pilots reported seeing them as early as the 1950s. Since then, sprites have become a subject of intense scientific interest, especially in how they affect atmospheric chemistry and electromagnetic environments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The importance of this spectacular phenomenon Nichole Ayers' photo is more than just visually striking; it's scientifically valuable. Observing sprites from space provides a rare opportunity to study electrical activity in parts of the atmosphere that are difficult to monitor from the ground. The clear vantage point from the ISS avoids the interference of clouds and light pollution, offering scientists unparalleled clarity. NASA has highlighted the importance of such images in improving our understanding of storm behavior, atmospheric electricity, and even how these high-altitude flashes might affect aviation and communication systems. The astronaut behind the lens Nichole Ayers, a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and combat-tested fighter pilot, is currently part of Expedition 73 aboard the ISS. A member of NASA's Artemis generation of astronauts, Ayers is engaged in a wide range of scientific missions, from Earth observation to medical experiments. Her ability to capture such a rare event underscores the role astronauts play not just in exploration but in advancing scientific knowledge of our own planet. As Earth-based detection remains limited by weather and geography, space-based monitoring of transient luminous events like sprites will continue to be a vital tool for researchers. With continued technological advancement and astronaut-led observation, phenomena like red sprites may soon become better understood, unlocking new knowledge about Earth's dynamic and mysterious upper atmosphere.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Red 'sprite' in space: Nasa astronaut shares elusive atmospheric phenomena; aids TLE research
Sprite captured by Nichole Ayers (Image credits: X @Astro_Ayers) While orbiting high above North America, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured a rare sight- glowing red lights shimmering in Earth's upper atmosphere. The phenomenon, known as a Transient Luminous Event (TLE) or "sprite," appeared as a brief burst of red light above thunderstorms over Mexico and the United States. The rare phenomenon, known as a Transient Luminous Event (TLE), is called a sprite- a brief flash of red light that occurs high above powerful thunderstorms. These massive bursts of electrical energy can reach up to 100 kilometers above Earth's surface and consist of 'cold plasma,' more like the glow inside a fluorescent light tube than typical lightning. Due to their high altitude and short duration, sprites are rarely visible from the ground, making Ayers' space-based capture especially significant. Sharing the image on X, Ayers said, 'Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the U.S. this morning, I caught this sprite.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 'Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below,' she explained. Sprites have long fascinated scientists and pilots. These brief, jellyfish-shaped flashes shoot upward into the atmosphere and vanish in milliseconds. For nearly a century, pilots reported seeing them, but many scientists dismissed them as myths or optical illusions. That changed in 1989 when the first clear image of a sprite was accidentally captured on camera. According to Nasa, sprites occur when strong lightning discharges interact with Earth's ionosphere. As the discharge travels upward and hits nitrogen molecules, it produces a reddish glow. Sprites belong to a larger group of upper-atmosphere phenomena that includes blue jets and red elves. Users were both amazed and curious after seeing the post. One wrote,'Sprite.... one of the rarest of rare celestial phenomenon .' Another asked, 'How long do the sprites last? Is this a still shot taken from a video? What altitude did this one reach? The more we find out, it becomes obvious we know far less than we thought.'
New York Post
04-07-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Astronaut photographs elusive luminous event from far above Earth
An astronaut aboard the International Space Station has shared a striking photo of what is known as a Transient Luminous Event seen above a thunderstorm over Mexico and the Desert Southwest earlier in the week. NASA astronaut Nichole 'Vapor' Ayers posted the image on social media and said, 'Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the US this morning, I caught this sprite.' Advertisement Sprites are a type of TLE, which create brilliant flashes of light high above powerful thunderstorms and are difficult to observe from the ground. There is some debate on whether what she captured is surely a sprite or what is known as a gigantic jet – both are part of the TLE phenomena. According to NOAA, sprites are often triggered by positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, which produce an electric field that extends miles above a thunderstorm into the upper atmosphere. The phenomenon appears mostly red in color, lasts only a fraction of a second and occurs so high up in the atmosphere that it is rarely visible to the human eye – unless, of course, you are orbiting some 250 miles above Earth's surface. Advertisement 4 NASA astronaut Nichole 'Vapor' Ayers captured a Sprite above Earth from the International Space Station. via REUTERS 4 Nichole Ayers aboard the International Space Station in 2025. ISS/NASA / SWNS 'Sprites are TLEs, or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense 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,' Ayers explained on social media. Gigantic jets begin inside the anvil and reach through the cloud up to the ionosphere, which represents what Ayers might have witnessed. Advertisement Why some lightning bolts trigger sprites while others do not is still poorly understood by the scientific community. Other related phenomena include elves, blue jets and ghosts, all of which are known TLEs, and occur well above Earth's surface in the stratosphere, mesosphere and even the thermosphere. 4 The phenomenon appears mostly red in color, lasts only a fraction of a second and occurs so high up in the atmosphere that it is rarely visible to the human eye – unless, of course, you are orbiting some 250 miles above Earth's surface. via REUTERS 4 The International Space Station orbiting over Earth in November 2018. NASA / SWNS Advertisement Ayers is currently stationed aboard the ISS as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission, which launched in March and is expected to remain in outer space through at least August. During the astronauts' time aboard the space observatory, the crew will conduct hundreds of scientific experiments, including testing the flammability of material and studies examining the physiological and psychological effects of space on the human body.
NDTV
04-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
NASA Astronaut Captures Stunning 'Sprite' Light Show Above Earth's Atmosphere
A NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has captured a stunning image of glowing red lights in the Earth's upper atmosphere. The bright lights are associated with a phenomenon known as Transient Luminous Event (TLE), which was captured by Nichole Ayers while orbiting above Mexico and the United States. Sprites are a type of TLE, which create brilliant flashes of light high above powerful thunderstorms and are difficult to observe from the ground. "Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the US this morning, I caught this sprite," wrote Ms Ayers on X (formerly Twitter). "Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below," she added. The NASA astronaut said they had a great view of the unique space phenomenon above the clouds which could help scientists "better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms". Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the U.S. this morning, I caught this sprite. Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below. We have a great view above the clouds, so… — Nichole 'Vapor' Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) July 3, 2025 A view of lightning that's nothing like what we see on the ground: crew observations and instruments on the @Space_Station can help us better understand the behaviors of storms. — NASA (@NASA) July 3, 2025 Social media reacts As the image went viral, social media users reacted in awe and expressed fascination at how nature can conjure such a spectacle. "Funny how we separate everything with borders when up there it's all one place," said one user while another added: "This is the best orbital sprite image I have ever seen." A third commented: "I simply cannot imagine how amazing it would be to see this sort of thing from the space station." As per NASA, the ISS crew members capture TLEs using wide focal lengths during Earth time-lapses. Instruments mounted outside the station, like Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM), can capture a range of data for researchers on Earth using cameras, photometers, X-ray and gamma-ray detectors.
