Video

The Secret of “Sprites”

The fireworks-like light shows that flash high above thunderstorms in Earth’s atmosphere.

Weird light shows of luminous flashes occur high above thunderstorm clouds in Earth’s upper atmosphere during lightning storms. Known as sprites, the split-second displays appear as “fireworks-like electrical discharges,” as a team of researchers put it.

A new Nature Communications study deepens our understanding of the phenomena.

Thanks to the Florida Institute of Technology.