U.S. astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers captured a spectacular view of a phenomenon generally known as a “sprite” blazing to life above an intense thunderstorm — and he or she did this whereas orbiting 250 miles (400 kilometers) above Earth aboard the Worldwide House Station (ISS).
“Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Occasions, that occur above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical exercise within the thunderstorms beneath,” wrote Ayers in an X put up showcasing the picture. “We’ve an excellent view above the clouds, so scientists can use these kind of footage to higher perceive the formation, traits, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms.”
Simply. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the U.S. this morning, I caught this sprite.Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Occasions, that occur above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical exercise within the thunderstorms beneath. We’ve an excellent view above the clouds, so… pic.twitter.com/dCqIrn3vrAJuly 3, 2025
Vivid, multicolored sprites are among the many least understood and visually placing electrical phenomena identified to manifest in Earth’s higher environment throughout intense thunderstorm occasions. They sometimes happen roughly 50 miles (80 km) above the planet’s floor within the wake of highly effective lightning strikes, taking up an array of otherworldly shapes composed of advanced, tendril-like options and plumes of purple mild, based on NASA.
Even so, the large sprite Ayers managed to witness is a very spectacular specimen, seen rising excessive above lightning-lit clouds and treading into Earth’s higher environment above Mexico and the U.S. All of the whereas, the sprite seems to glow brightly alongside synthetic mild emanating from the cities beneath.
Over the previous few years, NASA has been engaged on the “Spritacular” citizen science challenge, which asks members of the general public to contribute photos of TLE sightings in an try to offer the scientific group with knowledge that can be utilized to decode the phenomenon.
These efforts at the moment are being bolstered by orbital footage of the spectacular occasions, together with by a number of astronauts aboard the ISS, who — like Ayers — have embraced images as a artistic outlet throughout their time on the station.
Many questions actually persist surrounding the character of sprites, how and why they type and the way they work together with the encompassing environment — however perhaps they’re going to have some solutions quickly.
Editor’s Notice: If you happen to seize a picture of a sprite or TLE and need to share it with House.com’s readers, then please ship your photograph(s), feedback, and your identify and placement to spacephotos@house.com.
