Questions about a Transient Luminous Event

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The discussion centers on an observation of a Transient Luminous Event, specifically a Gigantic Jet, captured during a storm in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. The observer noted a large bolt rising from the storm cell, followed by a second bolt that released millions of blue luminous particles. Questions raised include the reasons for the color change of the charged particles from blue to red, the timing of the particle release, and the underlying mechanisms within the storm cell that caused the event. The phenomenon is linked to sprites, which are high-altitude electrical discharges associated with thunderstorms. Further reading is suggested for those interested in the scientific aspects of unusual lightning discharges.
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http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/3naz.jpg/

I was watching TV and noticed a lot of flashing lights outside which was coming from a distant storm. I got my camera and proceded to take pictures. During one of the 8 second exposures I saw a large bolt rise from the top of the storm cell then it quickly collapsed but then it rose again but not as high as the first bolt. As this second bolt rose it released millions of blue luminous beads or charged particles emitting a blue light. I did not see the red luminous beads because I was so captivated by the blue ones.

I used a Kodak Z740 camera set to F/2.8 for 8 seconds and iso 400. Taken in Cabo Rojo,Puerto Rico on Sept. 22, 2011 at 1:27am.

Questions:

1)What caused the charge particles to change from blue to red?

2)Why were the charged particles released during the rise of the second bolt and not the first?

3)What is your best educated guess as to what occurred within the storm cell to create this Gigantic Jet?
 
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3) It appears you photographed a sprite:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_(lightning )
 
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According to Walt Lyons and Oscar van der Velde this is a Gigantic Jet. Below is an excerpt from the article concerning my photo.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/259/cwwd.jpg/

You can read more about these events by reading the following document:

http://www.vaisala.com/en/events/ildcilmc/Documents/Different%20Strokes%20Researching%20the%20Unusual%20Lightning%20Discharges%20Associated%20with.pdf
 
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