In a remarkable photograph taken from the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, commander of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission, captured a breathtaking sight on June 3.
The image revealed eerie glowing red lights dancing in Earth’s atmosphere—a phenomenon known as ‘red sprite’ lightning.
These red sprites, occurring high above thunderclouds in the mesosphere, up to 53 miles above the Earth’s surface, are a rare weather phenomenon.
Dominick’s photograph specifically highlighted these blood-red bursts of energy off the coast of South Africa.
NASA is now urging skywatchers and amateur astronomers on Earth to contribute their own sightings of red sprites and other Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) to the Spritacular project.
This citizen-driven initiative, entering its third year, aims to create a comprehensive database that aids scientific understanding of these elusive occurrences.
Reflecting on his discovery, Dominick shared, “Super lucky a few weeks ago when shooting a timelapse of a lightning storm off the coast of South Africa.
One of the frames had a red sprite.”
He expressed interest in learning more from experts on how to capture these phenomena more effectively in the future.
Dr. Burcu Kosar, a space physicist and principal investigator for Spritacular at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, highlighted the project’s mission to connect accidental photographers of red sprites with scientific researchers.
This initiative aims to ensure that these captivating images contribute meaningfully to scientific research.
Scientific Exploration from Above
Dominick’s vantage point aboard the ISS, 250 miles above Earth, provided a unique perspective on these high-altitude electrical discharges.
NASA’s press release further explained that these Transient Luminous Events are typically captured during timelapse photography using wide-angle lenses, revealing the stunning complexity of Earth’s atmospheric phenomena.
Understanding Red Sprites
Red sprites are brief, colorful bursts of energy occurring above intense thunderstorms.
They illuminate the ionosphere’s D region, approximately 37 to 56 miles above the Earth’s surface.
These phenomena transition from red at higher altitudes to blue as they descend, remaining visible for only milliseconds.
Decades-Long Mystery Unraveled
Known for nearly a century, the origins of atmospheric sprites have long puzzled scientists.
They are dim compared to conventional lightning strikes but offer critical insights into Earth’s atmospheric dynamics.