NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick captured this stunning image of a red sprite, a type of transient luminous event (TLE), from the International Space Station (ISS).
These rare atmospheric phenomena were observed above thunderstorms off the coast of South Africa, providing a unique glimpse into these elusive phenomena.
Understanding Red Sprites
Red Sprite It is a reddish-orange flash that occurs at altitudes of 50 to 90 kilometers (31 to 56 miles). Of earth Surface. Caused by powerful lightning strikes during thunderstorms. Atmospheric nitrogen They interact with an electric charge. This interaction produces a red glow in the form of feathers and barbed tendrils. These phenomena are part of a broader category of TLEs that includes other colorful bursts of energy seen above storm clouds.
Despite the beauty, Red Fairy Scientists don’t fully understand them, and because they occur so high in the atmosphere they are often invisible from the ground, requiring observations from high-altitude aircraft or space.
Capturing phenomena from space
A photo taken by Dominic on June 3, 2024, shows a series of thunderstorms with red sprites appearing above the nearest storms. The image was made possible by the orbit of the International Space Station, which gives it an unobstructed view of Earth’s upper atmosphere. Using long-exposure photography, astronauts are able to capture these brief but spectacular events in great detail.
The crew typically photographs the TLEs using wide focal lengths during Earth timelapse, and instruments mounted on the station’s exterior, such as the Atmospheric-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM), can collect a wide range of data. ASIM uses cameras, photometers, and X-ray and gamma-ray detectors to study these events, providing valuable data to researchers on Earth. These detailed observations help scientists understand the conditions that lead to the formation of red sprites and their impact on the upper atmosphere.
ASIM’s role and ongoing research
The Atmospheric-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) will play a key role in observing and understanding TLE from the ISS. Using advanced sensors, ASIM captures high-resolution data Study of the occurrence and characteristics of red sprites and other TLEs. This data is essential for building accurate models of these phenomena and improving our understanding of their role in atmospheric processes.
NASA The citizen science project “Spritacular” invites the public to contribute to science. Sprite images and other TLEs. This crowdsourced database helps bridge the gap between sporadically shared photos and scientific research. “People take amazing images of sprites, but they’re shared sporadically on the internet and most of the scientific community is unaware of these images,” explains Dr. Burcu Kosar, an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and Spritacular’s principal investigator. Collecting a comprehensive array of images will allow scientists to analyze the conditions under which sprites form and gain deeper insights into their underlying mechanisms.
Extraterrestrial phenomena and their effects
Interestingly, the Earth SpritesAstronomers have observed similar lightning-like electrical explosions. On JupiterBecause of the abundance of hydrogen in the upper atmosphere, sprites appear blue instead of red. These observations suggest that TLEs are a common atmospheric phenomenon on Earth. Solar SystemThey can also occur on other planets with the right atmospheric conditions, and understanding these phenomena on Earth can provide valuable insight into atmospheric processes on other planets.
The photo was taken by astronaut Matthew Dominick. Red Fairy“These discoveries have contributed to our understanding of these ephemeral luminous phenomena. As researchers continue to study these phenomena from space and through citizen science initiatives like Spritacular, we can expect to gain greater insight into the mysteries of our atmosphere and beyond. These discoveries not only advance scientific knowledge, but also highlight the importance of continued exploration and observation from space.”
