why is the sky has blue jet?
Blue jets are an intriguing phenomenon that occur in the upper atmosphere, above
thunderclouds. They appear as short-lived, blue-colored ashes of light that shoot upwards from the
cloud tops, reaching altitudes of up to 50 kilometers. While they've been known about for decades,
their exact cause and mechanism are still under investigation.
Here's what we know so far:
Possible causes of blue jets:
• Electrical discharge: Similar to lightning, blue jets are believed to be caused by
electrical discharge within the upper regions of thunderstorms. However, the
discharge process is di erent from that of typical lightning.
• Charge imbalance: A key factor in blue jet formation might be the presence of a
positive charge region in the upper part of the thundercloud and a negatively
charged "screening layer" just above it. When the positive charge builds up
enough, it discharges through the screening layer, creating a blue jet.
• Sprites: Some theories suggest a connection between blue jets and another upper
atmospheric phenomenon called sprites. Sprites are reddish-orange ashes that
appear above thunderclouds and are thought to be caused by the electromagnetic
pulse generated by lightning.
Characteristics of blue jets:
• Short duration: Blue jets last only for a few milliseconds, making them di cult to
observe with the naked eye.
• Color: Their blue color is attributed to the emission of light from excited nitrogen
molecules in the upper atmosphere.
• Altitude: They can reach altitudes of 30-50 kilometers, well into the stratosphere.
• Rarity: They are relatively rare events, occurring in only a small percentage of
thunderstorms.
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Where to see blue jets:
Because of their short duration and rarity, blue jets are not easy to see. They are best
observed in areas with frequent thunderstorms and clear skies, using specialized cameras
that are sensitive to faint light.
Further research:
Scientists are still actively studying blue jets to understand their formation process,
potential role in atmospheric electricity, and any connection to other upper atmospheric
phenomena. With advancements in technology and observation techniques, we can
expect to learn even more about these mysterious ashes of light in the future.
Here are some additional resources you might nd helpful:
• Wikipedia: Upper-atmospheric lightning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper-
atmospheric_lightning
• Smithsonian Magazine: Mysterious Blue Jet Lightning Seen From Space: https://
www.livescience.com/blue-jets-of-lightning.html
• New Discovery: Red Sprites and Blue Jets Explained: https://m.youtube.com/
watch?v=tGPQ5kzJ9Tg
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