Here is a blue jet-sprite photographed by my crewmate Butch Wilmore in a timelapse sequence. Blue jets and sprites are terms that are rather loosely applied to what I like to call “upward directed lightning” (UDL). This is a rather new elusive atmospheric phenomena now extensively captured by digital cameras but still not fully understood. The tops of this UDL are around 75-80km, boarding on the fringes of space.
Nikon Z9, Nikon 24mm f1.4 lens, 1/4th sec, f1.4, ISO 6400, cropped frame, adjusted with Photoshop by Babak Tafreshi.
baldbaseballdad on
This is incredible and so are you Mr. Astronaut. Thank you for all you do 🫶
T-F-A-L on
I see, they’re recording the new avengers movie
Anuloxisz on
Well well, if it isn’t astro_petit with yet another awesome post!
Keep it comming! We love it here.
IamNickJones on
This is the coolest thing I’ve seen all year. Thank you so much for sharing!
oogaboogaman_3 on
It looks like a red sprite/sprites merged into lightning? And if the lightning bit was directed upward, is it possible that triggered the red sprite looking things you can see coming down from higher in the atmosphere?
ButterSlickness on
Your posts are always great, and this one is particularly cool!
hymen_destroyer on
I remember seeing a documentary on these things some years ago…at the time the theory was that this discharge has the opposite charge of traditional lightning (which I believe is usually negatively charged) and happen because of the electrical potential between the cloud tops and the upper atmosphere. Due to the distance travelled and lower density of air they tended to be *extremely* powerful, but also very rare
Not sure if any of those theories still hold any water but that’s my understanding of this phenomenon
willin_dylan on
Pretty sure that’s just Sacramento after the Kings win a game
/s
Actual_Pumpkin_8974 on
wow looks amazing also do we have any videos of the same available ?
Also thankyou for posting.
xrtMtrx on
How often do these happen? Is this a one in a million shot or are they understood well enough to capture relatively easily?
popsy13 on
Wow! I’m in awe of both the picture and that you’re currently in space right now! Thank you so much for sharing
Fun_Internal_3562 on
Space dust in a density higher than expected?.
This type of dust may contain elements with a charge of energy which interaction with clouds at high altitude creates these blue jet-sprite.
And so, that’s my contribution to science today. Thanks
fredwordsplat on
I just watched your interview with Destin Sandlin about photography in space. This is incredible! I hope you catch a sprite directly overhead in the Cupola soon! Thanks
Manyarethestrange on
I’ll never see something like this and not think about Dr. Manhattan
FourArmsFiveLegs on
Damn those are much taller than I thought. That’s miles into the atmosphere
Netmould on
Looking at post made in space (checking notes) 39 minutes ago from the astronaut himself is pretty wild, not going to lie there.
Wolfy4226 on
God damn it another sky beam, what are those avengers doing this time?
Significant_Bet_6002 on
I was born in 1961. By the late 60s I was reading any space adventures or time travel books I could get a hold of. I could only dream of what we are capable of now. You witnessing beautiful phenomenon, and sharing with us is a big deal to 7 year old me.
Lone-Hermit-Kermit on
Hmm. Whatever it is, I’m sure there is some kind of exchange of energy there. Perhaps this could be harnessed to power future low orbit stations/satellites?
SlowStroke__ on
Bruh you are casually just posting from the ISA ahahaa ever see any Space Worms up there? (Serious)
TrumpDumper on
I’m vacationing in Italy. Can you zoom in on my house and see if I left my trash cans out?
Awesome pic btw.
Spyrothedragon9972 on
Reddit posts from ISS astronauts?! That’s actually crazy!!
Cat_Shirts_Guy on
Some storm chasers have photos, and videos of them from the earth side.
24 Comments
Here is a blue jet-sprite photographed by my crewmate Butch Wilmore in a timelapse sequence. Blue jets and sprites are terms that are rather loosely applied to what I like to call “upward directed lightning” (UDL). This is a rather new elusive atmospheric phenomena now extensively captured by digital cameras but still not fully understood. The tops of this UDL are around 75-80km, boarding on the fringes of space.
Nikon Z9, Nikon 24mm f1.4 lens, 1/4th sec, f1.4, ISO 6400, cropped frame, adjusted with Photoshop by Babak Tafreshi.
This is incredible and so are you Mr. Astronaut. Thank you for all you do 🫶
I see, they’re recording the new avengers movie
Well well, if it isn’t astro_petit with yet another awesome post!
Keep it comming! We love it here.
This is the coolest thing I’ve seen all year. Thank you so much for sharing!
It looks like a red sprite/sprites merged into lightning? And if the lightning bit was directed upward, is it possible that triggered the red sprite looking things you can see coming down from higher in the atmosphere?
Your posts are always great, and this one is particularly cool!
I remember seeing a documentary on these things some years ago…at the time the theory was that this discharge has the opposite charge of traditional lightning (which I believe is usually negatively charged) and happen because of the electrical potential between the cloud tops and the upper atmosphere. Due to the distance travelled and lower density of air they tended to be *extremely* powerful, but also very rare
Not sure if any of those theories still hold any water but that’s my understanding of this phenomenon
Pretty sure that’s just Sacramento after the Kings win a game
/s
wow looks amazing also do we have any videos of the same available ?
Also thankyou for posting.
How often do these happen? Is this a one in a million shot or are they understood well enough to capture relatively easily?
Wow! I’m in awe of both the picture and that you’re currently in space right now! Thank you so much for sharing
Space dust in a density higher than expected?.
This type of dust may contain elements with a charge of energy which interaction with clouds at high altitude creates these blue jet-sprite.
And so, that’s my contribution to science today. Thanks
I just watched your interview with Destin Sandlin about photography in space. This is incredible! I hope you catch a sprite directly overhead in the Cupola soon! Thanks
I’ll never see something like this and not think about Dr. Manhattan
Damn those are much taller than I thought. That’s miles into the atmosphere
Looking at post made in space (checking notes) 39 minutes ago from the astronaut himself is pretty wild, not going to lie there.
God damn it another sky beam, what are those avengers doing this time?
I was born in 1961. By the late 60s I was reading any space adventures or time travel books I could get a hold of. I could only dream of what we are capable of now. You witnessing beautiful phenomenon, and sharing with us is a big deal to 7 year old me.
Hmm. Whatever it is, I’m sure there is some kind of exchange of energy there. Perhaps this could be harnessed to power future low orbit stations/satellites?
Bruh you are casually just posting from the ISA ahahaa ever see any Space Worms up there? (Serious)
I’m vacationing in Italy. Can you zoom in on my house and see if I left my trash cans out?
Awesome pic btw.
Reddit posts from ISS astronauts?! That’s actually crazy!!
Some storm chasers have photos, and videos of them from the earth side.