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Jovian Sprite (Illustration)
NASA / JPL · Reuse terms

Space / 2020-10-27

Jovian Sprite (Illustration)

Jovian Sprite (Illustration)

NASA's image library records Jovian Sprite (Illustration).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

This illustration shows what a sprite could look like in Jupiter's atmosphere. Named after a mischievous, quick-witted character in English folklore, sprites last for only a few milliseconds. They feature a central blob of light with long tendrils of light extending down toward the ground and upward. In Earth's upper atmosphere, their interaction w

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected
FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

This illustration shows what a sprite could look like in Jupiter's atmosphere. Named after a mischievous, quick-witted character in English folklore, sprites last for only a few milliseconds. They feature a central blob of light with long tendrils of light extending down toward the ground and upward. In Earth's upper atmosphere, their interaction with nitrogen give sprites a reddish hue. At Jupiter, where the predominance of hydrogen in the upper atmosphere would likely give them a blue hue. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA23990

Explore NASA's original image record for credits and available downloads.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

NASA Image and Video LibraryJovian Sprite (Illustration)

Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.