In the early hours of August 4, remote cameras in Puerto Rico captured a rare and mesmerizing phenomenon known as ‘gigantic jets.’ This stunning natural light show is a rare form of lightning that shoots upward from clouds into the upper atmosphere, rather than down toward the ground, according to EarthSky.
The Caribbean Astronomy Society (CAS), whose cameras recorded the spectacular event, initially set out to monitor meteors. Instead, they were treated to these breathtaking bursts of light, which illuminated the sky for a few seconds. The society later shared the footage on Facebook, noting that numerous people across the island reported witnessing the display.
“The images we obtained suggest that these discharges seen from the Island must have lasted longer than usual,” the CAS wrote in the post caption.
Gigantic jets are a relatively recent discovery, first documented in 2002. These electrical discharges are similar to red sprites, both shooting up to 56 miles high into the ionosphere. What makes gigantic jets particularly fascinating is their immense power, sometimes up to 10 times stronger than conventional lightning. In some instances, their force can even interfere with satellites in low Earth orbit.
Scientists have learned that gigantic jets occur under specific atmospheric conditions. They form when the temperature in the lower atmosphere is colder than in the mid-atmosphere, leading to clouds that develop closer to the ground. Though the exact mechanism behind gigantic jets is still under investigation, they are known to occur due to a charge difference between two atmospheric layers. As electricity passes through the mesosphere, it interacts with nitrogen, giving the jets their distinctive reddish hue.
Despite originating from intense thunderstorms, gigantic jets shoot so high into the atmosphere that people can see them from great distances. This explains why the video from Puerto Rico shows the jets against a clear night sky, even though the storm itself was miles away from the cameras.
Although rare, these incredible jets have been caught on camera a few times. For example, in 2021, a photographer in Puerto Rico captured video showcasing the jets’ vivid red colors.
The recent footage from the Caribbean Astronomy Society not only adds to our understanding of this awe-inspiring phenomenon but also offers a captivating glimpse into the extraordinary forces at play in our atmosphere. If you’re lucky enough to witness a gigantic jet, you’ll be seeing one of nature’s most powerful and beautiful displays.
