A Storm Unveils a Stunning Sight
A video posted on Facebook by the Madeiran photographer Diogo Gualter, showing a rare electrical event high above a thunderstorm, has caught the attention of social media for a reason. The footage, recorded during yesterday’s lightning storm, reveals an unusual atmospheric occurrence that is not often seen with the naked eye. The photographer only noticed this phenomenon later when reviewing the recording.
Last night, I was filming the lightning on the horizon, and today, when I watched the footage, I came across this rare event that I show at the end of the video!
Diogo Gualter
Sprites Over Madeira - Watch The Video
What Are Sprites?
Sprites are large-scale electrical discharges that appear high above storm clouds, often between 50 and 90 kilometers above Earth's surface. They are triggered by positive lightning strikes that connect the storm to the ground.
A Rare but Documented Event
Scientists have studied sprites for decades, but they remain difficult to observe due to their short duration and high-altitude location. The first photographe of a sprite goes back to only 1989, though visual reports are dating back to the 19th century.
Sprites are usually red-orange or blue-green in color, with tendrils hanging downward and curved structures extending upward. Sometimes, a faint reddish glow, known as a sprite halo, appears before the main event.
Source: Diogo Gaulter Facebook
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