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UFOs Identified as Naturally Occurring Thunderstorm Sprites
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by Tina Kells | February 24, 2009 at 03:53 pm
979 views | 4 Recommendations | 12 comments
Since 1989 researchers have been studying flashes of light, known as sprites, that often appear high up in the Earth's atmosphere above thunderstorms.
Now those researchers are declaring that many UFO sightings may actually be these sprites witnessed from too far away to hear the accompanying thunder.
While researchers are still unclear as to what causes the sprites they are confident that the phenomenon is naturally occurring and not the result of any alien interactions.
The dancing lights have appeared above most thunderstorms throughout history, but researchers did not start studying them until one accidentally recorded a sighting on camera in 1989."Lightning from the thunderstorm excites the electric field above, producing a flash of light called a sprite," said Colin Price, a geophysicist at Tel Aviv University in Israel. "We now understand that only a specific type of lightning is the trigger that initiates sprites aloft."
Researchers have detected the flashes between 35 and 80 miles (56-129 km) from the ground, far above the 7 to 10 miles (11-16 km) where usual lightning occurs. Sprites can take the form of fast-paced balls of electricity, although previous footage has suggested streaks or tendrils.
The cause or function of the flashes remains murky, but Price suggested that they could explain some of the UFO reports which have cropped up over the years. That might provide some solace for UFO enthusiasts disappointed by human-caused hoaxes in the past.
Both jetliner pilots and astronauts have previously reported sightings of sprites, along with a different but equally mysterious phenomenon known as blue jets.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 17:41 on February 24th, 2009
really it is possible, there are many natural phenomenon we do not understand at this time, sprites are one of them.
at 18:17 on February 24th, 2009
Check out my other storm photos at Flickr
bardlee has contributed a photo to this story.
at 18:49 on February 24th, 2009
When I walked outside to see how the weather was I saw this! So I ran back inside and grabbed my camera and fired away. The sky was changing so rapidly, it was an amazing experience. What an awesome creation God has given us.
Republic of Texas has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:36 on February 24th, 2009
This is a Thunderstorm that was southeast of Gillette Wyoming. It had some lightning, heavy rain and a small amount of hail. It seemed to just follow me down the road and gave me some nice photographs.
KevinAker has contributed a photo to this story.
at 20:03 on February 24th, 2009
SUMMER STORM IN WISCONSIN.
maggiewi has contributed a photo to this story.
at 23:42 on February 24th, 2009
Wow! Interesting. The sky is such a wonderful thing.
at 09:18 on February 25th, 2009
Jeroen Zetz has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:40 on February 26th, 2009
Chaitin volcano Eruption on May 3, 2008
usdivers25 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 12:14 on March 16th, 2009
Could this be a sprite that I caught on camera last August? I've not been able to figure it out. Go to "all sizes" and look at the detail of the streak and how it seems to have been pulsing. What do you think?
at 12:14 on March 16th, 2009
Oops...forgot to post the link: It is http://www.flickr.com/photos/11435930@N06/2751403949/
at 12:16 on March 16th, 2009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11435930@N06/2751403949/
Forgot to post the link above.
at 21:01 on March 29th, 2009
I love this. The sky is a wonderful thing to see.