Images related to Patterns of Lightning Activity

Global Lightning Activity
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Global Lightning Activity

Space-borne sensors extend the record of global lightning detection.

Published Mar 31, 2015

Image of the Day Atmosphere Remote Sensing

There’s Something in the Air
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There’s Something in the Air

The connection between people and lightning is visible along two of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

Published Dec 14, 2017

Image of the Day Atmosphere Water Human Presence Remote Sensing

Where Lightning Strikes
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Where Lightning Strikes

Published Dec 10, 2001

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Sensing Lightning from the Space Station
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Sensing Lightning from the Space Station

Bolts light up Earth’s atmosphere 4 million times a day. Scientists hope to observe a few.

Published Mar 23, 2014

Image of the Day Atmosphere Remote Sensing

Lightning is Sparking More Boreal Forest Fires in Far North America
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Lightning is Sparking More Boreal Forest Fires in Far North America

Wildfires in northern Canada and Alaska have been increasing in frequency and area burned. One possible cause is more lightning.

Published Dec 1, 2017

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Weeks of Extreme Weather in India
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Weeks of Extreme Weather in India

Lightning, thunderstorms, and dust storms are normal in India—but not at this intensity.

Published May 25, 2018

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Assessing California Fire Scars
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Assessing California Fire Scars

Analyzing subtle differences in near-infrared and shortwave-infrared light from the landscape, scientists can provide some measure of the severity of wildfire burns.

Published Oct 14, 2020

Image of the Day Heat Land Fires Human Presence Remote Sensing

Red Sprites Above the U.S. and Central America
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Red Sprites Above the U.S. and Central America

Within three minutes, astronauts acquired two photographs of elusive red sprite emissions above thunderstorms.

Published Aug 24, 2015

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Elusive Sprite Captured from the International Space Station
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Elusive Sprite Captured from the International Space Station

Red sprites, short-lived flashes caused by intense lightning, are rarely captured on camera.

Published Jul 10, 2012

Image of the Day Atmosphere

Looking Back from Apollo 11
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Looking Back from Apollo 11

Transcripts from the flight to the Moon capture some of the wonder and novelty of looking back at Earth.

Published Jul 21, 2014

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Human Presence

Lightning over Equatorial Africa
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Lightning over Equatorial Africa

The top of the large thunderstorm, roughly 20 km across, is illuminated by a full moon and frequent bursts of lightning.

Published Jan 21, 2001

Image of the Day Atmosphere

What did John Glenn see?
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What did John Glenn see?

Fifty years ago today, the first American to orbit the planet took this photo of home.

Published Feb 21, 2012

Image of the Day Human Presence Remote Sensing

Fires in Interior Alaska
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Fires in Interior Alaska

Several lightning-triggered fires were burning near the Tanana River, southwest of Fairbanks, Alaska, on July 7, 2009.

Published Jul 9, 2009

Image of the Day Heat Land Fires