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A group of photographers in New Zealand have managed to photograph visual evidence of “red sprites”, one of the rarest celestial events on Earth, where bright red bursts become visible in the heavens.

A Memorable Night of Discovery

This group of artists began their evening to photograph the galactic core over the Ōmārama Clay cliffs in the lower part of the country on 11 October, when they chanced upon the extraordinary event.

Assuming they would be fortunate to get good weather that night, but their shooting session turned into “a truly memorable experience,” one photographer commented.

Upon examining his files for a Milky Way panorama and realized he had captured red sprites,” the photographer said. “We just could not believe it – it resulted in screaming and shouting and numerous expressions in the dark.”

Understanding Red Sprites

Red sprites are bursts of electrical energy in the upper atmosphere, caused by electrical storms. Unlike lightning that shoots towards the ground, these events ascend towards the mesospheric region, forming appearances that are similar to vertical forms, carrots or even jellyfish. The earliest recorded picture of a this phenomenon was captured – unintentionally – in that year, by a group at the University of Minnesota.

Brief and Dreamlike Sightings

The phenomena last for such a short time – lasting just a millisecond – that they are infrequently observed to the unaided vision, but an individual had a lucky break. “I happened to be looking right at an occurrence when it took place – just a perfect coincidence looking at the right part of the heavens and I observed a brief red flash,” he said.

Witnessing the occurrences was a dream for the photographer, an acclaimed night scape photographer. “It seems that you’re seeing an impossible sight, it appears mystical … there is an intense scarlet hue that is visible for an instant, so it’s really interesting to witness.”

Technical and Creative Mastery

Recording a such an event requires a mastery of technical photography, as well as an knowledge about science and creative flare, the individual explained. “It is a deeply engaging category of art that’s highly fulfilling as well.”

A different team member said it was among the “most extraordinary nights” of his existence. “I witnessed the galactic band illuminating above the skyline while these massive crimson strands of energy moved above a storm far on the horizon,” he said.

A Unique Photographic Achievement

Based on his understanding, there are no further recordings capturing scarlet electrical bursts and the night sky of the south in the same photograph.

“This was a singular occasion when you understand you are seeing a phenomenon that may not recur in your lifetime.”