🔗 Share this article

A group of photography enthusiasts in New Zealand have recorded images of “red sprites”, one of the rarest atmospheric displays on Earth, where bright red bursts become visible in the atmosphere.

A Memorable Night of Discovery

The imaging specialists began their evening to shoot the night sky over the unique geological structures in the southern region of the country on 11 October, and unexpectedly witnessed the extraordinary event.

Assuming they would be fortunate to get good weather that after-dark period, but their night transformed into “an unforgettable one,” one photographer commented.

“He was checking his images for a stellar landscape and found he had captured crimson electrical bursts,” the individual explained. “It was unbelievable – we experienced screaming and shouting and all sorts going on in the night.”

Defining Red Sprites

The scarlet phenomena are atmospheric energy releases in the upper atmosphere, generated by electrical storms. Unlike lightning that shoots towards the surface, the phenomena ascend towards the higher altitudes, creating shapes that resemble pillars, carrots or even marine creatures. The initial image of a this phenomenon was recorded – by chance – in the late eighties, by a group at the University of Minnesota.

Brief and Dreamlike Sightings

The phenomena last for such a short time – persisting for a mere instant – that they are seldom seen to the unaided vision, but a team member got lucky. “By chance, I was gazing directly at an occurrence when it occurred – an ideal happenstance looking at the right part of the firmament and I observed a momentary scarlet burst,” he said.

Seeing the occurrences was a aspiration for the artist, an acclaimed dark sky artist. “It appears as if you’re seeing an impossible sight, it appears mystical … the color is a profound crimson that is there for a split second, so it is captivating to witness.”

Technical and Innovative Mastery

Recording a red sprite requires a mastery of technical photography, as well as an familiarity with atmospheric physics and innovative thinking, he said. “It’s a really involved category of art that’s very rewarding as well.”

A different team member remarked it was among the “most incredible evenings” of his career. “I was able to observe the starry river glowing above the skyline while these enormous red tendrils of energy danced above a electrical event at a great distance,” he explained.

A Unique Photographic Achievement

Based on his understanding, there are no other images depicting red sprites and the southern hemisphere Milky Way in the same photograph.

“It was one of those moments when you realize you are seeing a phenomenon you’ll probably never see again.”