Fresh data on sprites, jets and elves

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Fresh data on sprites, jets, and elves—unusual flashes of colored light in the Earth's upper atmosphere—are being collected by the Taiwanese Rocsat-2 satellite, which has been in orbit for two months. These phenomena are believed to be electrical discharges occurring above thunderstorms, contributing to a global electrical circuit. A discussion arose regarding the observation of a circular rainbow, with speculation about its connection to these atmospheric phenomena. However, it was concluded that the circular rainbow seen in Granada, Spain, was likely not related to sprites or jets, with alternative explanations such as concentrated water vapor or other atmospheric conditions being suggested.
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Fresh data on sprites, jets and elves - strange flashes of coloured light in the Earth's upper atmosphere - is being returned to Earth by a new satellite.

The Taiwanese Rocsat-2 spacecraft has been in orbit for two months and is studying the high-altitude phenomena.

They are believed to be discharges of electricity from above thunderstorms, part of a global electrical circuit. [continued]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3917137.stm
 
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I once say a circular rainbow the diameter of the sun, is this the result of this phenonmena? :confused:
 
Rader said:
I once say a circular rainbow the diameter of the sun, is this the result of this phenonmena? :confused:

Probably not. Were you in an airplane at the time?
 
LURCH said:
Probably not. Were you in an airplane at the time?

No I was on land, Granada Spain, at 4:00PM no clouds in the sky and the rainbow was a good distance from the sun about a 45 degree angle off horizon. Water vapor in a concentrated are, maybe a comet burnout in high atmosphre. The country is notorious for sky phenonema, you know we have large chucks of ice fall from the sky, that has no explanation either.
 

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