NASA Astronauts Capture Rare Lightning Storms from Space Station
• NASA astronauts on the ISS captured rare images of transient luminous events (TLEs) above thunderstorms.
• The Atmosphere–Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) on the ISS is key to recording these fleeting atmospheric phenomena.
• TLEs are important because they affect radio transmissions, atmospheric chemistry, and climate models.
ISS captures rare transient luminous events images
NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have successfully captured rare images of transient luminous events (TLEs), which include red sprites, blue jets, and ultraviolet rings. These phenomena occur high above thunderstorms and are usually invisible from the ground. The ISS, equipped with the European Space Agency's (ESA) Atmosphere–Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM), provides a unique vantage point for observing and recording these events.
Related News