http://www.spritesandjets.com/sprites-jets-diagram.jpg
http://www.spritesandjets.com/origin-of-sprites.jpg
Blue jets
Blue jets are a second class of high altitude optical phenomenon and are distinct from
sprites.
'Blues Jets' were observed for the first time in 1994. In fact, conical jets of blue light
propagate electrically from the core and ejected from the top of the thunderstorms clouds
towards the upper atmosphere at a speed of approximately 120 km/s.
They usually propagate in narrow cones of 15° and do not exceed 40-50 kilometers in
altitude. They are not directly related to cloud-to-ground lightnings and are not aligned with
the local magnetic field.
Blue starters are brighter and shorter (reaching an altitude of only 20km).
Summary of sprites origin
Sprites could be produced by an avalanche of relativists electrons (with
energies higher than 1 MeV) started by cosmic radiation,. This electron
beam could interact with the air molecules and to produce an X-ray
radiation and secondary gamma. The theoretical studies predict that these
mechanisms are accompanied by radio intense transmissions which could
reach 10 to several dozens of MHz. Such emissions were not identified
until now. The characterization of these emissions could allow a better
understanding of these phenomena.
Sprites originates from relativist electrons. X rays, Gamma rays,
EM, HF and VHF emissions are associated with this mecanism.
Sprites are massive but weak luminous flashes that appear directly above
an active thunderstorm system and are coincident with cloud-to-ground or
intracloud lightnings. Their spatial structures could be the following :
Single or multiple vertically elongated spots
Spots with short extrusions above and below
Bright groups which extend from the cloud tops to altitudes up to about 95 km.
Red sprites
Sprites are predominantly red. The brightest part is located between 65 and 75 km.
Below the bright red section, blue filamentary structures extend downward to as low as
40 km high. Sprites rarely appear singly, usually occurring in clusters of two, three or more.
The sprites duration is only a few milliseconds. It is necessary to have a high speed low
light camera in order to image them.
Current research points to show that those sprites are correlated with large positive
cloud-to-ground lightning strokes. The magnitude of sprite clusters can be compared to
moderately bright auroral arc.
http://www.sky-fire.tv/index.cgi/spritesbluejetselves.html#1
good facts found here
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Aurora_Timelapse
.ogv/seek%3D9-Aurora_Timelapse.ogv.jpg
http://www.theozonehole.com/images/atmospbhere.gif
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4002/4650017080_85d54e9a26_z.jpg
http://images.sciencedaily.com/2008/03/080328102738-large.jpg
http://www.wired.com/images/article/magazine/1706/st_lightning_f.jpg
http://totallycoolpix.com/wpcontent/uploads/2011/27012011_lightning_strikes/lightning_01.jpg
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/42086437/Sprites_-Blue-Jets_-and-Elves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnAAB0z2o-k