Out of This World: Astronaut Spotlights Unseen Gigantic Jet Lightning Soaring 50 Miles High

An unusual ‘gigantic jet’ of lightning has been captured from space, reaching almost 50 miles above the U.S. coast. This photograph was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) on November 19, 2024, but was not quickly disseminated by space agencies. The occurrence was later found on NASA’s Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth website by photographer Frankie Lucena, known for his expertise in documenting rare lightning phenomena. The images were later featured by Spaceweather.com on February 26.

Jet Likely Arose Over Louisiana

As stated by Spaceweather.com, the ISS was situated above the Gulf of Mexico during the time of the photograph, indicating that the lightning jet most likely emerged from a thunderstorm close to New Orleans. The thick cloud cover in the image made it impossible to pinpoint the exact location. Among the astronaut’s photographic series, four instances of lightning were detected, yet only one showcased the notable upward-thrusting jet.

Comprehending Gigantic Jets

Gigantic jets are intense electrical discharges that surge upward from thunderstorms when the charge layers in the clouds become reversed. In contrast to typical lightning, which strikes downward, these jets penetrate the ionosphere, the atmospheric layer that begins approximately 50 miles above the Earth’s surface. According to Spaceweather.com, these jets produce a blue luminescence as they interact with nitrogen in the upper atmosphere and last for less than one second.

Rare Yet Exceptionally Strong

Studies show that although gigantic jets were first recorded in 2001, scientists estimate that about 1,000 might occur each year, with the majority remaining unnoticed. The most powerful jet documented was seen in May 2018 over Oklahoma, possessing nearly 60 times the energy of a standard lightning bolt. These occurrences often conclude with red branching tendrils, resembling lightning events called sprites, yet are classified as distinct phenomena.