Key Information
Upper-atmospheric Lightning
| Type | Electrical-breakdown phenomena |
| Area | Worldwide, higher in the atmosphere |
| Season | All year round |
| Effect | Unknown |
| Forms | Blue jets, Blue starters, Gigantic jets, Elves, Trolls, Pixies, Ghosts, Gnomes |
Learning Point
- Upper atmospheric lightning, also known as transient luminous events (TLEs), are strange flashes of light that occur high above thunderstorms. Unlike regular lightning, which happens within clouds or between clouds and the ground, these lights appear way up in the sky, sometimes even reaching the edge of space! They come in different shapes and colors, like red sprites that look like jellyfish and blue jets that shoot upwards from the tops of storms. Scientists are still learning about these mysterious lights, but they believe they are caused by powerful electrical discharges from thunderstorms.
Project
- Draw a picture of the different kinds of upper atmospheric lightning.
- Overview
- Forms
Location
| Located in | Earth, at the north and south poles. |
Fun Facts
- One type of upper atmospheric lightning is called a “sprite,” and it looks a bit like a jellyfish!
- Another type is called a “blue jet,” and it shoots upwards from the top of a thunderstorm like a blue arrow.
- Upper atmospheric lightning is rare to see, but it can be a truly spectacular sight!
- It happens way up high in the sky, above thunderstorms.
Past Lessons
| 147 | February 3, 2025 | (North America) |