NASA astronaut Nichole ‘Vapor’ Ayers recently captured an extraordinary photo of a sprite, a rare and elusive form of lightning, while on board the International Space Station. The image was taken during a spacewalk over Mexico and the US, where Ayers spotted the sprite amidst intense electrical activity in a thunderstorm.
A sprites are Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) that occur above clouds and are triggered by strong electrical discharges in the storm below. From her unique vantage point 250 miles above Earth’s surface, Ayers can observe the formation of these events up close. Her photo will help scientists better understand the characteristics and relationship between sprites and thunderstorms.
Astronaut Don Pettit praised Ayers’ skill and knowledge, saying “to record a photo like this takes expertise.” Frank Graffagnino added that receiving praise from a fellow astronaut is a great compliment.
NASA’s “Spritacular” project aims to study sprites and other optical phenomena occurring above thunderstorms. The ISS crew’s observations, including Ayers’ photo, contribute to the understanding of these events.
Source: https://petapixel.com/2025/07/07/iss-astronaut-captures-photo-of-rare-lightning-sprite-shooting-upward