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Astronaut’s ISS Photo Uncovers Rare Gigantic Jet Over North America

High-resolution imagery from the July 3 event enriches NASA’s Spritacular data set, informing fresh research on the electrical forces behind upper-atmospheric discharges.

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured a rare gigantic jet near the U.S.-Mexico border from the International Space Station on July 3, 2025.
gigantic jet from iss on july 3 2025 vapor ayers close

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.