A breathtaking phenomenon has been observed above the highest peaks of the Himalayas, revealing new insights into the region’s atmospheric behavior. In May 2022, two Chinese astrophotographers captured footage of over 100 red sprites dancing in the upper atmosphere.
These rare electrical discharges, also known as “ghost sprites,” were witnessed near Pumoyongcuo Lake on the southern Tibetan Plateau. The study, led by Professor Gaopeng Lu and his team at the University of Science and Technology of China, shed light on the conditions that triggered this massive event.
Analysis revealed that high-peak current positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a massive mesoscale convective system caused the sprites. This suggests that Himalayan thunderstorms have the potential to produce some of the most complex and intense upper-atmospheric electrical discharges on Earth.
The research team developed a new technique to pinpoint the timing of each sprite, using satellite trajectory data and star field analysis. This method linked individual sprites to specific lightning strikes, providing valuable insights into atmospheric forces.
The study’s findings have significant implications for understanding how different layers of the atmosphere interact. Red sprites may influence energy and particle movement, potentially shifting chemical balances in ways yet to be understood.
This remarkable event not only showcases nature’s beauty but also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research, combining science, photography, and cosmic forces. The Himalayas now hold a new mystery, with glowing red whispers in the sky.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-red-sprite-lightning-strikes-seen-above-the-himalayas