NASA astronaut captures rare gigantic lightning jet from space, reveals hidden thunderstorm phenomenon

From high above Earth, a rare lightning pillar lit the skies. NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers photographed the moment while aboard the International Space Station on 3 July 2025.

Astronaut Spots Uncommon Atmospheric Phenomenon
The image showed a gigantic jet, one of the rarest forms of transient luminous events. These powerful electrical discharges rise from storm clouds up to the upper atmosphere. Ayers’ photo was first thought to show a sprite, but experts confirmed it as a gigantic jet.

How Gigantic Jets Differ from Sprites
Unlike sprites, which form much higher in the mesosphere, gigantic jets burst directly from the tops of thunderstorms. They can stretch from about 20 kilometres above Earth to nearly 100 kilometres. Sprites often appear as fleeting jellyfish-like flashes, sometimes accompanied by halos or elves.

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The observation was praised by Dr Burcu Kosar, head of NASA’s Spritacular project. The initiative invites photographers to share images of sprites, jets and other high-atmosphere phenomena. Scientists say Ayers’ vantage point provided rare data on storm-related electrical activity.