Summary:
- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have captured a stunning image of a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a "sprite" - a bright, fleeting burst of light that appears above thunderstorms.
- Sprites are electrical discharges that occur high in the atmosphere, often reaching up to 50 miles (80 km) above the Earth's surface. They are caused by the powerful electrical fields generated by large thunderstorms.
- These transient luminous events are difficult to observe from the ground, making the ISS a unique vantage point for studying these rare and fascinating atmospheric occurrences.