Intense​ electrical discharges, known as “sprites” or‌ red spectra, illuminated the skies above Puerto ‌Rico this morning. These interesting⁢ phenomena occur in‌ the troposphere, the lowest layer of ⁢Earth’s atmosphere, at⁣ altitudes ⁤between thirty-one and fifty-six miles‌ (fifty to ninety kilometers).

The Caribbean Astronomy​ Society ‍(SAC) explained‍ that ​sprites can⁢ be visible even without clouds directly overhead. This is as the curvature of the Earth⁤ allows⁣ them to originate from distant cumulonimbus and ‍thunderstorm clouds, which were⁤ located ⁢south⁣ of Puerto Rico this morning.

Sprites⁣ are typically recorded in fractions of a ​second, appearing⁣ as quick ​flashes of light. However, observers have ⁣documented these red spectra with the naked eye for centuries. it wasn’t ​until 1989 that ‍cameras first captured these events,‍ validating‍ the long-held​ observations.

Unlike lightning, ‌which travels from clouds to the ground, sprites discharge upward into the atmosphere. Thay appear red due to interaction with nitrogen in the ⁣mesosphere. While striking‍ in black and white images, recent colored photographs from the island vividly showcase ​the intense red hue of these spectra.

Frankie Lucena, from Cabo Rojo, has​ extensively documented sprites from Puerto Rico. ⁣In recent years, Eddie Irizarry and Nelson Ortega of the SAC have ⁢also captured numerous images of these captivating displays.

Understanding Transient Luminous⁤ Events

Red sprites are a type of Transient Luminous Event ‍(TLE), ⁤a relatively newly understood atmospheric phenomenon.Scientists continue to research the causes ⁣and ⁢effects of​ TLEs,including their potential impact on the Earth’s electrical circuit. Ongoing studies ⁣aim to determine how‍ frequently these events occur and their ‌relationship to severe weather patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red ‌Sprites

• What are red sprites? ⁣Red sprites are large-scale electrical discharges that occur high ‍above thunderstorm clouds, giving the appearance of‍ reddish flashes.
• How are red sprites different from ⁢lightning? Lightning travels from the​ clouds to ⁤the ground, ⁤while red sprites travel from the clouds upwards into the atmosphere.
• Can you see⁤ red sprites with the naked eye? Yes, red ⁢sprites‍ have ‍been observed with the naked eye for centuries, though they are often ⁣faint and fleeting.
• what causes the red color of sprites? ⁢ The red color is caused⁤ by the interaction of the electrical ⁤discharge with nitrogen molecules ⁣in the ‍mesosphere.
• Where are⁤ red sprites most commonly ⁤observed? Red sprites‌ are frequently enough observed ​over large ‍thunderstorm systems, especially in areas with flat terrain and‌ clear skies.
• Are red sprites ‌dangerous? No, red sprites occur high ⁢in⁣ the atmosphere and pose no direct threat to people on the ground.
• How were⁣ red sprites ⁢first scientifically confirmed? Cameras first captured images ⁢of red sprites in 1989, confirming centuries of anecdotal observations.