Astronaut Captures Rare Red Sprite from Space, Boosting Atmospheric Phenomena Research

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers has captured a stunning image of a red sprite, a rare atmospheric phenomenon, while orbiting above North America. The fleeting burst of red light, a type of Transient Luminous Event (TLE), appeared above thunderstorms over Mexico and the United States.

Red sprite captured by Nichole Ayers (Image credits: X @Astro_Ayers)

Sprites, also known as TLEs, are brief flashes of red light that occur high above powerful thunderstorms. These massive electrical discharges can extend up to 100 kilometers above Earth's surface and are composed of "cold plasma," similar to the glow within a fluorescent light.

Due to their altitude and short duration, sprites are rarely visible from the ground, making Ayers' space-based observation particularly significant.

Ayers shared the image on X, stating, "Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the U.S. this morning, I caught this sprite."

She further explained that "Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below."

Sprites have long captivated scientists and pilots. These short-lived, jellyfish-shaped flashes shoot upward into the atmosphere and disappear within milliseconds. For almost a century, pilots reported seeing them, but many scientists dismissed them as myths or optical illusions. This perception shifted in 1989 when the first clear image of a sprite was accidentally recorded.

According to NASA, sprites occur when strong lightning discharges interact with Earth's ionosphere. As the discharge travels upward and collides with nitrogen molecules, it produces a reddish glow. Sprites are part of a broader category of upper-atmosphere phenomena, including blue jets and red elves.

The image sparked amazement and curiosity among viewers. One user commented, "Sprite.... one of the rarest of rare celestial phenomenon."

Another inquired about the duration, capture method, and altitude of the sprite, highlighting the knowledge gaps surrounding these events: "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.”