Astronaut captures breathtaking photo of electrical pillar illuminating Earth’s atmosphere from space

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Astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers has taken a stunning photo of a sprite lightning bolt from the International Space Station. The dramatic image captures a glowing red flash lighting up the upper atmosphere above a thunderstorm over Mexico and the US. Sprites are enigmatic flashes of light that appear far above thunderstorm clouds as a result of strong electrical activity below.

These Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) are seldom seen on Earth since the view is obstructed by clouds and weather. But astronauts orbiting around the planet have an unobscured view of these brief events. The photograph has excited atmospheric scientists, who are still attempting to unravel the mysteries of sprites.

A similar phenomenon was recorded some years ago over the Himalayas when amateur photographers clicked a beautiful photo of a sprite over the Tibetan Plateau. Researchers discovered that intense lightning bolts from the end of clouds produced the sprite. As space observation becomes more frequent, researchers hope to learn more about these striking weather phenomenons.

The photo is a reminder that there are still a lot of secrets our planet has to share, even from outer space. With a few more observations such as this, researchers will be able to learn more about Earth’s most elusive weather patterns. Ayers posted the photo on social media with the caption “Just. Wow.”

Also Read: Earth Is Rotating Faster, Here’s What Scientists Say And What You Need To Know

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