astronauts Capture Rare ‘Transient Luminous Events’ Above Thunderstorms, Revealing New Insights into Earth’s Electrical System
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A groundbreaking series of observations from space is providing scientists with an unprecedented look at the mysterious electrical phenomena occurring high above thunderstorms. These fleeting events, known as Transient Luminous Events (TLEs), are rarely seen from the ground and offer crucial clues to understanding Earth’s complex atmospheric processes.
NASA astronauts have recently captured stunning visuals of these events,furthering research into the upper atmosphere and its potential impact on climate. The observations highlight the ongoing efforts to unravel the secrets of lightning and its broader effects on our planet.
A Rare Glimpse from Orbit
In 2025, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, flying 400 kilometers above Earth at hypersonic speed, documented a spectacular TLE featuring vibrant blue flashes and red, tentacle-like formations shooting upwards. This “electrical show,” as described by observers, originated from a summer thunderstorm and represents one of the rarest examples of these atmospheric phenomena. TLEs occur at altitudes between 40 and 80 kilometers, well above the clouds and largely invisible to those on the ground.
the captured image reveals a blue jet propagating into space,reaching towards the upper layers of the atmosphere,followed by the spreading red flashes. The entire event unfolded in less than a second,underscoring the challenge of observing and studying these transient occurrences.
Building on past Discoveries
This isn’t the first time astronauts have witnessed these ethereal displays. A decade prior, in 2015, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen captured the first images of a pulsating blue jet from space, offering a new vantage point for studying electrical activity within thunderstorms. These early observations sparked increased scientific interest and prompted investigations into the types of clouds that trigger TLEs and their influence on atmospheric chemistry.
Unveiling Giant Jets and the Thor-Davis Experiment
Further bolstering this research,in 2024,NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps,aboard the International Space Station,recorded the first-ever slow-motion video of a pulsating giant jet erupting from a thunderstorm over Australia.Using a high-resolution camera set to its fastest frame rate, Epps captured the blue and red bursts in all their splendor.
This recording is a key component of the thor-Davis experiment, a project designed to investigate lightning in the upper atmosphere and its potential effects on greenhouse gas concentrations. The experiment, named after the Norse god of thunder, lightning, and storms, is a collaborative effort led by the Danish Technical University (DTU) and the European Space Agency.
The Ongoing Mystery of atmospheric Electricity
lightning triggers powerful electrical bursts in our atmosphere almost every second, yet the basic mechanisms driving these forces of nature remain incompletely understood. capturing these
Why are scientists studying Transient Luminous Events (TLEs)? Scientists are studying TLEs to better understand earth’s complex atmospheric processes, the impact of lightning on climate, and the fundamental mechanisms driving atmospheric electricity. These events offer clues to how energy is transferred between the Earth and the upper atmosphere.
Who is involved in this research? NASA astronauts (nichole Ayers, Jeanette Epps), ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, the Danish Technical University (DTU), and the European Space Agency are key players. The Thor-Davis experiment is a collaborative effort between DTU and ESA.
What are Transient Luminous Events (tles)? TLEs are rare, fleeting electrical phenomena that occur high above thunderstorms, between 40 and 80 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. They include blue jets,pulsating blue jets
