NASA Astronaut Captures Stunning Red Sprite Illuminating Thunderstorm from Space

In July 2025, NASA astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers captured a unique photograph of a massive red “sprite” phenomenon occurring above a thunderstorm while orbiting at an altitude of 250 miles (400 km) above the Earth. Sprites are transient, glowing columns formed by intense lightning strikes occurring below. Ayers remarked that the vantage point from the ISS offers an “excellent perspective above the clouds,” aiding scientists in their study of these enigmatic occurrences. This particular sprite was observed above storm clouds covering parts of Mexico and the southern United States on July 3, 2025. The observation aligns with NASA’s Spritacular citizen-science initiative, which encourages the public to submit images of sprites and other similar atmospheric flashes.

Understanding the Rare ‘Sprite’ Phenomenon

As reported by NASA, sprites rank among the “least understood” and most visually captivating phenomena in the upper atmosphere. They manifest as short-lived columns of red illumination that flash high in the sky above storm clouds, initiated by intense lightning events. Research indicates that sprites typically appear at altitudes of around 50 miles (80 km) above the surface. These brief illuminations display various shapes, including tendrils, plumes, or towering pillars of red light.

In Ayers’s image, the sprite resembles an upside-down crimson umbrella reaching skyward. Each sprite flash endures for just a few milliseconds, rendering every photo significant for research data. Ongoing observations from both space and the ground are progressively clarifying the nature of these puzzling storm-related phenomena. Notably, NASA’s Juno mission has also detected sprite-like flashes in Jupiter’s atmosphere, indicating potential similarities in lightning mechanisms across different celestial bodies.

Crowdsourcing Sprite Observations

To enhance research on sprites, NASA has initiated the Spritacular citizen-science project. This initiative allows camera-owning volunteers to share their photos of upper-atmospheric flashes for scientific study. Since its launch in 2022, the project has attracted over 800 volunteers from 21 nations, who have contributed approximately 360 sprite observations. Each submission assists scientists in charting the locations and conditions under which sprites manifest. The photograph taken by Ayers from the ISS provides a significant perspective complementing the contributions made by citizen scientists.

Space.com highlights that several crew members aboard the ISS have also started capturing images of sprites from orbit, enriching the dataset. Dr. Burcu Kosar, the principal investigator of Spritacular, states that the project “will bridge the gap” between casual observers and scientific researchers. NASA scientists emphasize that numerous questions surrounding the formation and mechanisms of sprites “remain unresolved,” suggesting that additional imagery could help unravel these mysteries.