ISS astronaut captures a rare phenomenon from orbit — a giant 'sprite' above a thunderstorm

A picture of Earth's surface at night captured from the International Space Station. An electrical phenomenon known as a sprite, featuring a tree-like column and red, branch-like tendrils can be seen reaching into the upper atmosphere above lightning-illuminated clouds.

U.S. astronaut Nichole "Vapor" Ayers captured a spectacular view of a phenomenon known as a "sprite" blazing to life above an intense thunderstorm — and she did this while orbiting 250 miles (400 kilometers) above Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

"Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below," wrote Ayers in an X post showcasing the image. "We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms."