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Three image specialists in New Zealand have successfully captured images of “red sprites”, among the least common celestial events in the world, during which luminous crimson flashes become visible in the heavens.

A Remarkable Night of Discovery

This group of artists began their evening to capture the night sky over the distinctive clay formations in the South Island of the country on a night in October, and unexpectedly witnessed the rare phenomenon.

Initially believing they would be blessed to get good weather that night, but their night turned into “a night to remember,” one photographer remarked.

While reviewing his photographs for a stellar landscape and found he had recorded crimson electrical bursts,” he explained. “The discovery was astounding – there was a whole bunch of excited exclamations and numerous expressions in the night.”

Understanding Red Sprites

The scarlet phenomena are bursts of electrical energy in the higher atmospheric layers, produced by thunderstorms. Unlike lightning that shoots towards the surface, these events propel upward towards the higher altitudes, producing shapes that are similar to pillars, tapered shapes or even jellyfish. The first photograph of a this phenomenon was taken – by chance – in the late eighties, by a research unit at the University of Minnesota.

Fleeting and Dreamlike Sightings

These events are extremely short-lived – persisting for a mere instant – that they are rarely visible to the unaided vision, but a team member was fortunate. “By chance, I was gazing straight toward a sprite when it happened – just a perfect coincidence looking at the appropriate section of the sky and I observed a short crimson illumination,” he explained.

Witnessing the events was a goal for the photographer, an acclaimed dark sky artist. “It looks like you are observing something that is not real, it appears mystical … the color is a profound crimson that is visible for an instant, so it is fascinating to see.”

Advanced and Artistic Mastery

Recording a red sprite needs a proficiency with specialized camera skills, as well as an knowledge about atmospheric physics and creative flare, the individual stated. “It is a deeply engaging form of imaging that’s highly fulfilling as well.”

Another photographer commented it was one of the “most incredible evenings” of his life. “I was able to observe the starry river glowing above the skyline while these massive crimson strands of light danced above a thunderstorm far on the horizon,” he described.

A Unique Photographic Achievement

As far as he knows, there are no further recordings depicting red sprites and the southern hemisphere Milky Way in a single image.

“It represented a unique instance when you know you’re witnessing a phenomenon you are unlikely to ever witness again.”