Posted on 08/02/2013 11:26:39 AM PDT by Red Badger
An amateur astronomer has become the first person to capture a massive lightning strike ‘into space’ above the British Isles.
The atmospheric phenomena, known as sprites, had never been recorded in the UK before an amateur astronomer in East Yorkshire managed to take the photographic first.
Richard Kacerek, 33, spotted the sprite – caused by an upward lightning discharge five miles east of Hull – and has sparked excitement in the scientific community with his image.
An amateur astronomer has become the first person to capture a massive lightning strike ‘into space’ (pictured) above the British Isles
An amateur astronomer has become the first person to capture a massive lightning strike ‘into space’ (pictured) above the British Isles. The atmospheric phenomena, known as sprites, had never been recorded in the UK before
Sprites are shards of light caused by large-scale electrical discharges that take place high above thunderstorm clouds.
They cause a varied range of visual shapes in the night sky but have never been recorded before in the UK.
Mr Kacerek spotted the sprite on Tuesday night from a camera set up in Hull.
He said: ‘Astronomy is my hobby, I am not a scientist so I am delighted to have captured the sprite, it was such an interesting event.
‘They are a fascinating phenomena as they happen in the atmosphere above the storm clouds.
‘They are relatively unknown and it looked a little special so I sent it to Dr Martin Fullekrug at Bath University and he said it was the first spotted over the UK.
‘I think luck had a lot to do with it.’
Mr Kacerek spotted the sprite on a camera that is part of the UK Meteor Observing Network, which amateur stargazers can use to observe space.
Richard Kacerek spotted the sprite, caused by an upward lightning discharge five miles east of Hull
I wonder if he is the first person to ever capture a photo of a sprite over the UK.
or maybe its a sprite over the UK and he is the first person to capture it?
Ha! You beat me to the ‘Frog-eye’ Sprite.
Quick! Set the Sprite trap!
A sprite trap is a magic magical device used to capture troublesome or harmful spirits and ghosts. These devices refer to a sprite as a preternatural creature.
The sprite trap is created from a blackthorn stave and copper wire that has never carried electricity. During a ritual process, the copper wire is bound to the stave with red thread and the stave is marked with a Dag (or D) rune.
Sprite traps are used at night, when the trap is set at the entrance to a home, church, graveyard, or other location where disturbances are taking place. To attract the troublesome entity, a cleft blackthorn stave with a lighted candle is placed in front of the trap.
After the sprite trap has captured a spirit, it is removed from the location and the red thread is cut with a consecrated knife; the thread is then placed into a prepared witch bottle. If the bottle has been prepared to imprison the spirit, a spell is recited while the thread is placed in it. Finally, the bottle is corked and sealed with red wax before being buried. A thorn bush will be planted on the site.
It is said that if a witch’s bottle containing a spirit is opened, a very angry spirit will escape.
Read more: http://www.monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Sprite_trap#ixzz2aq53Ak3k
Here's a picture of a Sprite ON the UK......
But it looks like a floating molar.
Molars in Space, they’re coming to chew us to a pulp.
For my next trick....a Dr. Pepper over Bulgaria
Looks more like Sasquatch trudging up a hill to me.
(Ever notice how all these ‘rare’ photos never seem to be made by someone with a decent camera?)
Fillings.....Nothing more than fillings........Trying to forget my....Fillings above!..........
XKCD 1235:
How about just a plain ole’ Mountain Dew over Nashville?
*ping of interest*
Thanks fieldmarshaldj, extra to APoD.
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