NASA astronaut Nicole Ayes has released photographs taken on July 3, 2025, capturing rare atmospheric phenomena: giant sprites in the upper atmosphere of Earth.
These sprites, a type of transient luminous event, are among the rarest types of lightning, forming at altitudes above 80 km. They are triggered by powerful cloud-to-ground lightning strikes and can reach speeds of nearly 100-140 km/s, extending up to 50 km. The duration of a sprite can range from 200 to 300 milliseconds.
They are named for their characteristic red color, a result of the excitation of nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Giant sprites are distinguished from ordinary sprites and sprite-like phenomena, such as halos, which are often seen with sprites: flashes that propagate from the top of a cloud to the edge of space. The exact cause of this phenomenon is still not fully understood, but it is believed that giant sprites affect the balance of various components of the Earth's atmosphere.
The photographs of this phenomenon are rare; giant sprites were first documented around 2002.
Earlier, on June 27, 2025, the International Space Station also captured a similar event, known as "the highest lightning on Earth." This confirms the rarity and uniqueness of such atmospheric events.
Research into such events will help us better understand electrical processes in the atmosphere and their impact on the environment.