Rare transient luminous event photographed in upper atmosphere

AI Thread Summary
Sprites are atmospheric electrical phenomena that occur during thunderstorms, delivering electrical energy high into the atmosphere. The discussion raises questions about the altitude at which sprites occur and their unique upward spreading behavior, suggesting a possible interaction with the Earth's magnetic field. This phenomenon highlights the complex dynamics between storm activity and atmospheric electricity, indicating that sprites may play a significant role in the transfer of energy from storms to the upper atmosphere.
Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
8,194
Reaction score
2,426
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/06/0625_030625_atmospherethunder.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Biology news on Phys.org
I've always heard them referred to as "sprites". The artical states that they diliver the electrical energy of a storm high into the atmosphere. I can't help but wonder, "how high?". Looking at the peculiar way they spread out as they progress upward, it would almost appear that they discharge directly to the Earth's magnaetic field.
 

Thread 'Flesh-eating New World Screwworm re-occurrence in US'

Deadly cattle screwworm parasite found in US patient. What to know. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2025/08/25/new-world-screwworm-human-case/85813010007/ Exclusive: U.S. confirms nation's first travel-associated human screwworm case connected to Central American outbreak https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/us-confirms-nations-first-travel-associated-human-screwworm-case-connected-2025-08-25/...
View full post »

Thread 'Chagas disease now established in US'

Chagas disease, long considered only a threat abroad, is established in California and the Southern U.S. According to articles in the Los Angeles Times, "Chagas disease, long considered only a threat abroad, is established in California and the Southern U.S.", and "Kissing bugs bring deadly disease to California". LA Times requires a subscription. Related article -...
View full post »

Thread 'I need help understanding this quote about recent Natural Selection'

I am reading Nicholas Wade's book A Troublesome Inheritance. Please let's not make this thread a critique about the merits or demerits of the book. This thread is my attempt to understanding the evidence that Natural Selection in the human genome was recent and regional. On Page 103 of A Troublesome Inheritance, Wade writes the following: "The regional nature of selection was first made evident in a genomewide scan undertaken by Jonathan Pritchard, a population geneticist at the...
View full post »

Similar threads

High Voltage Discharges or Explosions from Powerlines -- why these colors?
Replies
10
Views
3K
Using Aircraft & Balloons to Deliver 'Sunscreen' to Upper Atmosphere?
Replies
22
Views
5K
How does the solar wind affect Earth's atmosphere?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Questions about a Transient Luminous Event
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Will NASA Reveal Oxygen in TRAPPIST-1 Exoplanet Atmospheres?
2
Replies
67
Views
14K
Dam Failures and Infrastructure Damage in a Changing Environment
Replies
8
Views
3K
Unusual light rising from Martian surface
Replies
1
Views
2K
Columbia crew catches a mysterious TIGER in the Indian Ocean
Replies
1
Views
4K
Human Chimerism: A Rare Phenomenon
Replies
5
Views
9K
How Can We Harness the Power of Space Elevators and Atmospheric Electricity?
Replies
7
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top