The image above, captured by Expedition 31 astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), shows an enigmatic atmospheric phenomenon known as a red sprite hovering just above a vibrant flash of lightning in a thunderstorm over Myanmar.
First documented in a photo in 1989, red sprites are extremely short flashes of optical activity that are associated with powerful lightning discharges in storms — although the precise mechanisms that generate them aren’t yet recognized.
This image is part of a time-lapse sequence of photographs captured throughout an ISS pass on April 30. (Watch the video here.
Sources and more information:
• ISS astronaut shoots image of mysterious red sprite during lightning storm
A red sprite has nothing to do with a soft drink or paranormal phenomenon. A red sprite is an atmospheric phenomenon that is associated with powerful lightning discharges inside storms. The mechanism or mechanisms that create this red and very brief optical phenomenon are unknown. An astronaut aboard ISS Expedition 31 took photograph on April 30…
• ISS astronaut captures photo of elusive sprite
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