Sky Oddities • Auroras & Plasma Phenomena • Main Pillar 13
Sprites, blue jets and ELVES are strange upper-atmosphere flashes produced above powerful thunderstorms. They are known as transient luminous events: brief, spectacular electrical phenomena that shoot, bloom or expand high above storm clouds.
This guide explains red sprites, jellyfish sprites, blue jets, giant jets, upward lightning, thunderstorm plasma jets, ELVES, expanding light rings, ionospheric flashes and electromagnetic pulse events — the lightning family’s weird cousins who escaped upstairs.
TL;DR: Sprites, Blue Jets & ELVES
- Sprites are red flashes that occur high above thunderstorms.
- Jellyfish sprites can form branching red structures in the upper atmosphere.
- Blue jets shoot upward from thunderstorm tops into the stratosphere.
- Giant jets are powerful upward lightning events reaching even higher.
- ELVES are expanding rings of light triggered by electromagnetic pulses.
- This pillar acts as the 301 sink for old posts about sprites, blue jets, ELVES and upward lightning phenomena.
What Are Transient Luminous Events?
Transient luminous events, often shortened to TLEs, are brief electrical flashes that occur above thunderstorms. Unlike ordinary lightning, which usually occurs inside clouds or between clouds and the ground, TLEs appear high above storm systems.
They include:
- red sprites
- jellyfish sprites
- blue jets
- giant jets
- ELVES
- other upper-atmosphere electrical flashes
They are difficult to observe because they are extremely brief, often lasting only milliseconds. But when captured on camera, they look like the atmosphere briefly opened a forbidden electrical portal.
Red Sprites Explained
Red sprites are large, reddish flashes that occur above powerful thunderstorms. They can appear as columns, tendrils, branching structures or huge jellyfish-shaped bursts high above cloud tops.
This child pillar absorbs:
- red sprites
- jellyfish sprites
- sprite outbreaks
- thunderstorm sprites
- red upper-atmosphere lightning flashes
For the full guide, visit:
Red Sprites Explained.
Blue Jets Explained
Blue jets are narrow blue flashes that shoot upward from thunderstorm tops. Unlike sprites, which usually occur higher above storms, blue jets begin closer to the storm cloud and rise upward into the stratosphere.
This child pillar absorbs:
- blue jets
- giant jets
- upward lightning phenomena
- thunderstorm plasma jets
- blue electrical discharges above storms
For the full guide, visit:
Blue Jets Explained.
ELVES Explained
ELVES are enormous, rapidly expanding rings of light that appear high above thunderstorms. Their name stands for Emission of Light and Very Low Frequency perturbations due to Electromagnetic pulse Sources.
This child pillar absorbs:
- ELVES
- expanding light rings
- ionospheric flashes
- electromagnetic pulse events
- upper-atmosphere light halos above storms
For the full guide, visit:
ELVES Upper Atmosphere Flashes Explained.
How Do Sprites, Blue Jets and ELVES Form?
Sprites, blue jets and ELVES are all linked to powerful thunderstorms, but they form in different ways and at different altitudes.
In general:
- A strong thunderstorm builds intense electrical fields.
- Lightning activity redistributes electrical charge.
- Energy is transferred upward above the storm.
- The upper atmosphere briefly emits light.
- A transient luminous event appears.
The exact shape depends on the type of discharge, altitude, storm structure and electromagnetic conditions above the thunderstorm.
Sprites vs Blue Jets vs ELVES
| Phenomenon | Typical Appearance | Main Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Red Sprites | Red columns, tendrils or jellyfish shapes | Large flashes above thunderstorms |
| Blue Jets | Blue upward beams or cones | Shoot upward from storm tops |
| ELVES | Expanding rings of light | Electromagnetic pulse effects in the ionosphere |
Where Do These Events Occur?
Sprites, blue jets and ELVES occur above intense thunderstorms, especially large storm systems with strong lightning activity.
They are most often observed:
- above mesoscale convective systems
- over large thunderstorm complexes
- above tropical storms and severe storm outbreaks
- from aircraft, satellites or distant ground cameras
- during nighttime conditions with clear views above storms
Because they happen high above storm tops and last only moments, many events go unnoticed unless cameras are pointed in exactly the right direction.
What Belongs Elsewhere?
This pillar focuses on upper-atmosphere thunderstorm light events. It should not absorb every lightning or storm article.
- Ball lightning → Ball Lightning Explained
- Ordinary lightning → Lightning Phenomena silo
- Tornado clouds → Storm Warning Signs silo
- General auroras → Auroras Explained
- STEVE and SAR arcs → STEVE & Subauroral Phenomena Explained
FAQ: Sprites, Blue Jets & ELVES
What are sprites, blue jets and ELVES?
They are transient luminous events: brief electrical flashes that occur above powerful thunderstorms.
Are red sprites lightning?
Red sprites are related to thunderstorm electricity, but they occur high above storms rather than inside the main lightning channel.
What are blue jets?
Blue jets are upward electrical discharges that shoot from the tops of thunderstorms into the upper atmosphere.
What are ELVES?
ELVES are rapidly expanding rings of light produced in the upper atmosphere by electromagnetic pulses from lightning.
Are sprites, blue jets and ELVES dangerous?
They occur high above thunderstorms and are not directly dangerous to ground observers, but they are associated with powerful storm systems.
