sprites

An astronomer in Slovakia captured the rare luminous phenomenon as it briefly flashed in Earth's upper atmosphere during a thunderstorm.

Ultra-fast, ultra-bright sprites caught forming in the act.

The origin of the mysterious reddish lighting above thunderstorms, known as atmospheric sprites, has long puzzled scientists, but they now have some idea how it forms.

Furthest from equator phenomenon has been observed.

Best view yet of strange elves and sprites high in atmosphere.

The photos of the strange and mysterious light shows in this gallery may seem otherworldly, but the light phenomena in this gallery are naturally-occurring or man-made illusions.

Strange lightning captured on high-speed video.

From his balcony, a scientist photographs a storm-related flash of light.

Elves, blue jets, tigers and sprites. The names are as strange as the events are enigmatic. Now, some fresh understanding.