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Llanos Tuna, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Latitude: 18° 3' 0'' N

Longitude: 67° 6' 46'' W

01 October 2016 0259 (Local Time)
Camera direction: towards SW

Image P/S code: P.14.1.1.4

Image I.D.: 5020

Sprites
Sprites are large-scale but short-lived and weak luminous electrical discharges in the upper regions of the atmosphere that appear above large thunderstorm systems. The flashes appear predominantly red in colour. This image shows sprites above Hurricane Matthew over the Caribbean Sea as observed from Puerto Rico, over 600 km from the storm system.

Sprites are rarely seen with the human eye due to their faintness (comparable to a moderately bright aurora) and very short duration (typically up to 10 milliseconds). The observer must have completely dark-adapted eyes and a clear view above large, distant thunderstorms in a dark sky.

The horizontal streaks that can be seen in the picture across the dark sky are gravity waves emanating from the hurricane.
Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.
© Frankie Lucena
Llanos Tuna, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Latitude: 18° 3' 0'' N
Longitude: 67° 6' 46'' W
01 October 2016 0259 (Local Time)

Camera direction: towards SW
Image P/S code: P.14.1.1.4
Image I.D.: 5020
Sprites
This picture, looking south-west from Puerto Rico, shows sprites above Hurricane Matthew, over 600 km away. Sprites are short-lived luminous electrical discharges in the upper regions of the atmosphere that occur above large, active thunderstorm systems. The flashes are predominantly red in colour and occur at an altitude of between 50 and 90 km. Sprites are faint (comparable to a moderately bright aurora)and of short duration (typically up to 10 milliseconds), and so they are rarely seen with the human eye. For visual observation, the observer must have an unobstructed view in a completely dark sky of the area above a distant thunderstorm. The observer's eyes must also be fully dark-adapted.
Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.
© Frankie Lucena
Llanos Tuna, Cabo Rojo 00623, Puerto Rico
Latitude: 18° 3' 1'' N
Longitude: 67° 6' 46'' W
01 October 2016 0132 (Local Time)

Camera direction: towards SW
Image P/S code: S.14.1.1.4.1
Image I.D.: 5021
Sprites
Sprites are large-scale, but short-lived and weak, luminous electrical discharges in the upper regions of the atmosphere that appear above large thunderstorm systems. The flashes appear predominantly red in colour and typically last for less than 10 milliseconds.

This time-lapse video taken from Cabo Rojo in Puerto Rico shows sprites occurring over 600 km away above Hurricane Matthew over the Caribbean Sea.
Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.
© Frankie Lucena
Llanos Tuna, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Latitude: 18° 3' 1'' N
Longitude: 67° 6' 46'' W
01 October 2016 0119 (Local Time)

Camera direction: towards SW
Image P/S code: S.14.1.1.4.1
Image I.D.: Array
Sprites
Sprites are large-scale, but short-lived and weak luminous electrical discharges in the upper regions of the atmosphere that appear above large thunderstorm systems.

This video shows a powerful discharge of lightning (seen at the bottom of the image) that results in sprites being triggered in the upper atmosphere (at the top and end of the video).
Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.
© Frankie Lucena
Llanos Tuna, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Latitude: 18° 3' 1'' N
Longitude: 67° 6' 47'' W
01 May 2016 0450 (Local Time)

Camera direction: towards SSW
Image P/S code: S.14.1.1.4.1
Image I.D.: Array

Sprites

Sprites

Sprites

Sprites