Overview

• On July 3, NASA astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers photographed a transient luminous event over Mexico and the U.S., initially labeled a sprite and later confirmed as a rare gigantic jet.
• Gigantic jets are powerful upward lightning discharges that channel electrical energy from thunderstorm tops to the ionosphere, reaching altitudes up to 90 km.
• The high-resolution photos captured from the ISS Cupola reveal detailed branching structures, enhancing classification efforts and atmospheric modeling.
• Launched in 2022, NASA’s Spritacular citizen-science initiative is integrating Ayers’ imagery to expand its global database of transient luminous events.
• Researchers are now analyzing the electrical and atmospheric conditions recorded during the event to deepen understanding of the mechanisms behind these fleeting phenomena.