NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured a stunning photograph of one of nature's most elusive phenomena from the International Space Station on July 3, 2025, initially believing she had documented a sprite, a rare form of atmospheric lightning, only to discover she had captured something even more extraordinary: a gigantic jet.

"Nichole Ayers caught a rare and spectacular form of a TLE from the International Space Station — a gigantic jet," confirmed Dr. Burcu Kosar, Principal Investigator of NASA's Spritacular project. The discovery represents one of the clearest views of this atmospheric phenomenon ever documented from space.

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[–] spizzat2@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (4 children)

So, does anyone have an idea of where on Earth we're looking at?

Anytime I look at images from the ISS, I try to identify cities, landmarks, or even a cardinal direction. I'm not very good at it...

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago

I'm like 99% sure that were looking at the outside of Earth in the photo, but i can't be entirely sure.

[–] lemming741@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gigantic_jet_photographed_by_Nichole_Ayers_on_the_International_Space_Station,_some_edits.jpg

The phenomenon took place at roughly 29°N 101.5°W over Coahuila, Mexico.

[–] dogs0n@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

I think there's too many clouds? Anyways if I were to guess, I'd say houston (because of all of the problems in my life rn).

[–] buddascrayon@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

If I'm thinking of the same thing, I believe these come from within the center of hurricanes.