Rare and breathtaking lightning displays known as “sprite lightning” or “sprite fireworks” have long fascinated skygazers and scientists alike. Characterized by a streak of red light in the darkened sky, these unusual flashes are formed when high-peak current positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes the ground during massive thunderstorms.
Recent breakthroughs in data analysis, led by two amateur astronomers, Angel An and Shuchang Dong, have shed new light on the origin of sprite lightning. By precisely timing their footage near the Tibetan Plateau’s Pumo Yongcuo Lake in May 2022, they recorded over 100 bursts of red sprite lightning.
Researchers collaborated with experts at the University of Science and Technology of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to analyze satellite motion trajectories and star positions, accurately mapping 95 bursts’ timing within a one-second margin. This data revealed that roughly 70% of the red sprites were matched to their parent lightning events, which were triggered by high-peak current positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.
Understanding sprite lightning is crucial not only for gaining insights into its unique formation but also for studying its effects on the upper atmosphere and powerful thunderstorms like those in South Asia and the US Great Plains. The team’s research unlocks a new path toward characterizing these massive storms, which could have significant implications for meteorology and climate science.
Source: https://www.extremetech.com/science/we-finally-know-what-causes-sprite-lightning