BLUE JET FACTS & INFORMATION:
The first blue jets caught on video were during a NASA aircraft mission in 1994. Rarely documented, Most blue jets are accidentally caught on camera by nature lovers photographing the parent lightning storms.
Blue jets can initiate as a leader exits the upper extent of the thunderstorm and propagates toward the upper atmosphere. The rarified air and low pressure of the upper atmosphere leads to a visible transformation in the leader as the ionization travels upward. It’s the excitation of molecular nitrogen that delivers their spectacular sapphire glow.
The top of the thunderstorm sparking this blue jet was estimated to be roughly 10 miles high and the visible portion of this blue jet was calculated by Paul Smith to be roughly 13 miles tall from storm top to upper visible extent of the jet. The low noise you hear is ear candy adding for your entertainment.
Load Comments...
Discuss...
Enable JavaScript to submit a comment.