Curious logo
 
Image depicting lightning, as in, This amazing picture from Hawaii shows two rare sky lightning events

This amazing picture from Hawaii shows two rare sky lightning events

 

Recommended for Foundational Grades

Red and blue lightning

The Gemini Observatory in Mauna Kea in Hawaii, US consists of two 8.1-metre (26.6 ft) telescopes. They are currently among the largest and most advanced telescopes that are used to study the night sky.

In July 2017, astronomers captured the amazing photo above from the Gemini Observatory. They released this photo recently as the “image of the week”.

What do you see in the photo?

It shows a stormy Hawaiian sky with streaks of red and blue lightning which seem to meet above a bed of white light. These colourful lightning events are known as red sprites and blue jets.

What are sprites?

Sprites are super-fast bursts of electricity which often look like alienlike jellyfish-style creatures hanging from the atmosphere. Since they are so fast, people generally never see them from the ground.

Moreover, red sprites and blue jets are extremely hard to capture on camera as the lightning flashes last less than a second.

These rare colourful lightning events usually start in different places in the sky and move toward space. Red sprites can also be jelly-fish shaped.

Watch a video on red sprites and blue jets below. Video credit: Pecos Hank/Youtube

 

Image depicting Curious Times Logo

Are you interested in the latest news updates? Or are you curious enough to enjoy reading non-fictional information and trivia? We at Curious Times are committed to providing the best experience and news to children. Our educational website for news and information is age-appropriate and also a lot of fun. Do also check out the Curious Times Weekly newspaper every week and The Curious Magazine every month. We are delighted to publish the creative art, photographs, write up and more that children send us in My Expressions. We would love to get feedback and hear from you. Do write to us at hello@curioustimes.in. Your favourite newspaper for kids!  You can also reach out to us on WhatsApp, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook.

  (Please login to give a Curious Clap to your friend.)

Share your comment!

To post your comment Login/Signup