Yes, red lightning is real and is often referred to as "sprites."
What are Sprites?
Sprites are large-scale electrical discharges that occur high above thunderstorm clouds (cumulonimbus), in the mesosphere. According to the reference material, they display a varied range of visual shapes flickering in the night sky. These are not typical cloud-to-ground lightning.
Key Characteristics of Sprites (Red Lightning):
- Altitude: They happen much higher in the atmosphere than regular lightning.
- Color: They appear red due to the excitation of nitrogen molecules at higher altitudes.
- Location: Sprites occur above active thunderstorm systems.
- Appearance: They have varied shapes, sometimes resembling jellyfish or carrots.
In summary, "red lightning" or sprites are real atmospheric phenomena consisting of electrical discharges high above thunderstorms.
