In recent years, scientists have discovered that a whole variety of luminous phenomena occur in the Earth's atmosphere. Not only lightning flashes and aurorae borealis can illuminate our nights, but also sprites, haloes, elves, blue jets, gigantic jets and likely many more to be discovered. These phenomena are collectively called Transient Luminous Events (TLEs).

Sprites are one of the most fascinating of these newly discovered phenomena, first scientifically observed in the early 1990s. They looked like red flashes, the largest reaching from 90 Km altitude almost down to the cloud tops, and extending more than 40 Km. The name sprite was given because of their "attitude" of lasting very shortly (a few milliseconds), leaving only a vague perception in your eyes.

This website is a collection of information that can let you understand and appreciate sprites, while waiting for these exciting new discoveries to make their way to science textbooks. All the material that you can read in these pages is written by scientists of the European Research Network CAL (Coupling of Atmospheric Layers), a group of scientists that work on these phenomena and their relations to the atmosphere and climate.

Start with the beginner level if you wish to have a basic knowledge of these phenomena. This level is designed for young students but can provide all basic information. You can then switch to Intermediate and Advanced once you wish to learn more details. Click on the Gallery at the bottom if you prefer to see some pictures taken during this summer campaign (Eurosprite2005).

Enjoy your hunt for sprites! The CAL team, October 2005.

Pictorial view of elves, sprites and blue jets. (On Sprites and Their Exotic Kin, T. Neubert, Science, Vol 300, 2 May 2003)