Central Idea

ESA astronauts recorded a red sprite over a thundercloud as part of the Thor-Davis experiment at Danish Technical University.

What are Red Sprites?

	Details
Type	Transient Luminous Event (TLE)
Appearance	Reddish-orange flashes, often in clusters, with shapes resembling tendrils, jellyfish, or carrots
Altitude	Typically occur at altitudes between 50 to 90 kilometers (31 to 56 miles)
Duration	Extremely brief, lasting only a few milliseconds
First Documented	First photographed in 1989, though pilots had reported sightings for decades
Formation	Triggered by *positive* lightning discharges from thunderclouds to the ionosphere
Color Explanation	Red coloration due to the excitation of nitrogen molecules; lower parts can appear blue
Observation Challenges	Ephemeral nature and often obscured by thunderclouds; typically observed from aircraft or high-altitude platforms
Scientific Significance	Provides insights into electrical and chemical processes in the upper atmosphere
Related Phenomena	Part of a group that includes blue jets and elves, all linked to thunderstorm activity
Research Importance	Investigated for understanding the Earth’s electromagnetic environment and atmospheric electrical balance