In order to observe and understand a rare upper-atmosphere event, astrophotographers had recently captured a new display of red sprites over the Tibetan Plateau (near Puma Yumco Lake), and the visuals were successfully recorded. The rare crimson-coloured flashes were seen appearing high above massive thunderstorm clouds, and the event is now being shared for a clearer look.
Read more about the update below.
Rare Red Sprites Captured Over Tibetan Plateau!
Recently, a rare display of red sprites was captured by Chinese astrophotographer Dong Shuchang from ~5,000 m elevation, and the glowing crimson-coloured flashes were seen high above massive thunderstorm clouds. These red sprites are classified as a type of Transient Luminous Event (TLE), and unlike ordinary lightning that usually arcs between clouds and the ground, these form much higher in the atmosphere. The red sprites are said to appear at an altitude between 50 km to 90 km, and last only for a few milliseconds, thereby making them very difficult to observe.
Speaking more, these red sprites as mentioned are triggered by intense positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes that take place in massive and powerful storm systems below. These strong lightning strikes send a large surge of electrical energy upward, and when this discharge interacts with the upper atmosphere, it excites the thin nitrogen molecules present there. Notably, the excited nitrogen molecules then emit the characteristic glowing red or reddish-orange colour, which gives the red sprites their unique appearance.
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Regarding why these red sprites are considered rare, the luminous bursts can spread across tens of kilometres in the sky, but they remain visible only for a very short time. As mentioned, they usually last only for a few milliseconds, and this makes it almost impossible to see them clearly with the naked eye. In addition to this, since they occur above the clouds and also rely on the unpredictable intensity of thunderstorms, scientists have only recently been able to study them better with the help of advanced high-speed and long-exposure astrophotography.
The visuals recorded over the Tibetan Plateau offer an awe-inspiring look at the glowing pillars of light and jellyfish-like tendrils formed by these red sprites. This rare observation also further contributes towards understanding such short-lived upper-atmosphere events better, while also showing how powerful storm systems can lead to such unusual and beautiful light displays above the clouds.
