A rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a “sprite” was recently photographed over Mexico near the U.S. border by NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers from the International Space Station (ISS).
The unusual light display, which resembles an inverted red lightning strike, was captured as part of NASA’s “Spritacular” project that aims to collect images of these elusive electrical occurrences.
Sprites, formally called transient luminous events (TLEs), are electrical discharges that occur 50 to 90 kilometers above Earth’s surface in the mesosphere. Unlike conventional lightning that strikes downward, sprites shoot upward from thunderstorm cloud tops, creating branching reddish or bluish structures that can extend up to 96 kilometers high.
These phenomena typically last only fractions of a second, making them extremely difficult to observe from the ground. Mexico’s geographic location and frequent thunderstorm activity create ideal conditions for sprite formation.
Scientists value these images as they help understand the formation mechanisms of sprites, their relationship to storms, and their impact on the upper atmosphere. The data also contributes to improving weather and atmospheric electrical activity models.
Although pilots had reported seeing sprites before, they were first photographically documented only in 1989. They remain relatively mysterious due to their brief duration and high altitude, making the ISS an ideal platform for observing and recording them.
The recent image captured over Mexican airspace represents a significant contribution to atmospheric science research about these fascinating electrical phenomena.
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