What's Happening?
Valter Binotto, a photographer from Possagno, Italy, captured a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as an 'elve' over the Italian Alps. This event occurred on November 17 and involved a colossal glowing
red ring in the night sky. Elves are rapid, disk-shaped flashes that can expand up to 300 miles across and last for less than a thousandth of a second. They occur above thunderstorms when a powerful electromagnetic pulse shoots into the ionosphere. Binotto was initially attempting to photograph sprites, another type of atmospheric lightning, but instead captured the elve using a Sony A7S camera. The elve was generated by a powerful negative lightning strike in a storm located about 300 km south of Binotto's location, producing an intense electromagnetic pulse that illuminated the ionosphere.
Why It's Important?
The capture of an elve is significant as it provides valuable insights into atmospheric phenomena that are rarely observed. Elves contribute to our understanding of the interactions between thunderstorms and the ionosphere, which is crucial for atmospheric science. This phenomenon also highlights the capabilities of modern photography and technology in capturing fleeting natural events. The study of elves can enhance scientific knowledge about electromagnetic pulses and their effects on the Earth's atmosphere, potentially influencing research in meteorology and climate science.
