NASA captures ultra rare gigantic jet from space

A NASA astronaut records a rare atmospheric discharge from the ISS, adding new data to space weather research.

NASA captures ultra rare gigantic jet from space

On July 3, 2025, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, aboard the International Space Station, captured a rare gigantic jet. The image, released on NASA’s portal, shows a blue column of charged plasma climbing from a thunderstorm toward the edge of space, offering scientists a rare view from roughly 400 kilometers up.

Gigantic jets begin at around 20 kilometers and push into the mesosphere, standing apart from sprites which form higher up and in a more diffuse shape. The photo provides a valuable data point for understanding how electrical energy moves from the troposphere to the ionosphere and how space weather can affect satellites and communications. NASA also highlights Spritacular.org, a platform inviting amateur skywatchers to upload sightings, expanding data for unpredictable events.

The image demonstrates how space agencies are expanding the way science is done. A professional spacecraft eye paired with crowdsourced observations can capture fleeting events that are hard to study with traditional instruments alone.

This approach raises questions about data quality and coordination, but it also broadens public interest in Earth science. By opening tools and platforms to the public, NASA is building a more participatory model of discovery that could shape how future atmospheric research is funded and conducted.

Highlights

The sky still holds many hidden connections between storms and space, waiting for more eyes.