Post #1989248
2026-01-31 12:02 UTC
Gigantic jets (part of the Transient Luminous Event phenomena) typically form over intense tropic thunderstorms. Current research suggest they are initiated by intra-cloud lightning that triggers a discharge up into the ionosphere.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper-atmospheric_lightning#Gigantic_jets
Replies (1)
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@stim3on@fosstodon.org 2026-01-31 12:02
You can actually see the small blue leader develop above the cloud before it fully discharges as a gigantic jet with vibrant purple and red colors. After the jet disappears, the leader flickers a few times and surprisingly produces a second jet shortly afterwards. That's something I have not seen before!