The Department of Atmospheric Science at Creighton University has been
actively looking for a little-understood phenomenon in the upper atmosphere.
Referred to as "Red Sprites" and "Blue Jets", these events are characterized
by the emission of reddish/orange and blue light coming from the top of
thunderstorm clouds into the ionosphere. Believed to be somewhat similar
to the Aurora Borealis, these lights in the sky are caused by the near
visible emission of high energy electrons and other ions moving through
the stratosphere/mesosphere.
Here's what a Red
Sprite looks like!
Try these links to other
Sprite info
Go here for more background on
Sprites
Check out the most recent imagery
we have observed!
See
the "mysterious ball of light called SPARKE".........
How we did it.....
Reference Material on Sprites
Appendix A - Electric Field
of a Sprite
Appendix B - Altitude of a
Sprite
Questions? Send email to Paul McCrone (PaulJMC@aol.com)
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