Section 1.1: Types of Lightning on Earth

On our planet, various forms of lightning can be observed. The most prevalent is streak lightning, characterized by its glowing, serpentine shape with numerous branches. These discharges can reach lengths between 2 to 10 kilometers and can emit several hundred megawatts of power. The illumination is caused by the heating of air along the path taken by charged particles.

Another variant is sheet lightning, which, although similar to streak lightning, occurs within the cloud rather than between the cloud and the ground, manifesting as flashes on the cloud's surface.

A less common but intriguing form is bead lightning. This subtype of streak lightning appears as a series of glowing dots, where some pulses may not be visible, leading to a discontinuous visual effect.

All the aforementioned types of lightning occur in the troposphere at altitudes of up to 18 kilometers and either strike the ground or flow within clouds. However, the spectrum of cosmic lightning is significantly broader.

Section 1.2: Cosmic Lightning Phenomena

The most remarkable type of cosmic lightning is known as sprites. In 1989, scientist John Winkler, while testing new equipment, inadvertently recorded a distant storm using a high-speed camera. Upon reviewing the footage, he discovered enormous, funnel-shaped flashes of light ascending into the sky, located approximately 30 kilometers above the clouds.

Following extensive analysis of satellite images, researchers identified numerous similar flashes, collectively termed sprites. This phenomenon typically occurs during severe thunderstorms when streak lightning generates significant tension above, causing gases in the upper atmosphere to illuminate towards space. Unlike typical lightning, which flows from negatively to positively charged areas, sprites originate from the positively charged portion of the cloud, moving toward the ionosphere.

Sprites are known to form at altitudes ranging from 50 to 130 kilometers (near-Earth space). In some instances, the lower part of the sprite can descend toward Earth but never actually makes contact. The color and form of sprites depend on atmospheric pressure and composition, changing with altitude. They typically occur in groups just after a streak lightning strike and last only about 100 milliseconds, making them invisible to the naked eye but detectable on high-speed recordings.

The first video showcases NASA ScienceCasts, which discusses the observation of lightning from the International Space Station, providing insights into how this phenomenon can be captured from such heights.

Section 1.3: Elves and Jets

Elves are another intriguing aspect of cosmic lightning. They manifest as flash cones with diameters reaching up to 400 kilometers and heights of 100 kilometers, although they emit a very faint glow. Capturing elves on film is exceptionally challenging, as their duration is limited to about five milliseconds, requiring specialized high-speed cameras.

Jets are flashes of light that occur much closer to the ground, typically between 15 and 30 kilometers, and can reach heights of up to 70 kilometers. They appear in a tubular shape and are often blue or white.

Unlike the more familiar types of lightning, these phenomena unfold in the upper layers of the atmosphere, extending toward the boundary of space, which is why they are classified as cosmic lightning.

The second video explores the concept of "Striking Lightning from Space," offering a glimpse into how lightning behaves in the vastness of our atmosphere compared to Earth.

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