Gigantic Jet Captured by NASA Astronaut Over Texas

Last week, a spectacular and rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a 'gigantic jet' illuminated the skies over the Texas-Mexico border. NASA Astronaut Nichole Ayers managed to capture this incredible event from the Cupola module on the International Space Station, offering a unique perspective on this powerful discharge.

What is a Gigantic Jet?

Gigantic jets are a fascinating type of Transient Luminous Event (TLE), distinct from sprites. Unlike typical lightning that strikes the ground, these powerful electrical discharges originate from the top of thunderstorms and can travel significantly higher into the atmosphere, reaching altitudes of up to 90 kilometers.

As explained by Ayers, these events occur above the storm cloud, and while there's no direct counterpart below the storm visible to observers on the ground, the sheer energy involved is immense.

A View from Orbit

From its vantage point in orbit, the storm, and consequently the gigantic jet, appeared to be positioned near the Texas-Mexico border. The urban glow of major Texas cities like Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston was visible to the northeast, while the lights of Torreón, Mexico, could be seen to the southwest.

The image was captured using a Nikon Z9 camera with a 50mm lens, set at f/1.2, a shutter speed of 1/4 second, and an ISO of 6400, as part of a time-lapse sequence.

Understanding the Phenomenon

While the visual spectacle is undeniable, understanding the physics behind gigantic jets is an ongoing area of scientific research. They represent a significant transfer of energy in the atmosphere, highlighting the complex and dynamic nature of thunderstorms.

This observation from space provides valuable data for scientists studying atmospheric electricity and the intricate relationship between weather events on Earth and phenomena observable from orbit.