Most Powerful Lightning Strikes & Red Sprites Experiment
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Published 2023-01-06
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OVER / UNDER EXPERIMENT:
Some of the most powerful lightning events can propagate horizontally for 10s of kilometers and connect to the ground with a massive surge of electricity. We call these horizontally extensive ground flashes.
Seeing these big daddies blossom underneath storm clouds is a jaw dropping sight but, underneath the storm, you’re still only seeing half the show. If a lightning strike is powerful enough, it can flip the charge at the top of thunderstorms initiating another spectacular light show high above the storm.
Red sprites belong to a group of mysterious large scale electrical discharges called Transient Luminous Events, or TLEs. In order to see the spectacular parent lightning discharges in all their glory and the TLEs they initiate above the storm, we’re going to need to be in two places at one time.
In this video, I team up with storm chaser Paul Smith to simultaneously document the most powerful lightning strikes and the magnificent TLEs they parent in what we call the Over / Under Experiment.
Negative ground flashes are the most common manifestation of cloud-to-ground lightning. But these generally don’t transfer enough charge to spark a TLE. For this experiment to be successful, I’m going to have to locate a rain free vicinity of the storm were the horizontally extensive positive ground flashes are occurring while Paul Smith finds cloud free skies and clear views over the tops of the same distant thunderstorm complex.
Check out Paul Smiths YouTube channel
youtube.com/@PaulMSmith
Piano music: Radiohead's "Like Spinning Plates" performed by Hank Schyma
All Comments (21)
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Congratulations Hank, for 1 MILLION subscribers
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I've been watching you for years hank and I just wanted to say that you're one of the most talented people I've ever seen. You're such a legend. Much love.
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gosh, your videos need to be about 2 hours longer each time, I can never get enough hearing the things you teach- congrats on the 1 million, u deserve many more :D
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This almost brought me to tears - the majesty, beauty, awe, power, and wonder in what you two managed to capture here is TRULY breathtaking. Hank, simply put, you've more than outdone yourself with this project. A heartfelt congrats to you and Paul for capturing this, and presenting it to us! I made my family drop what they were doing just to watch this show. Amazing. Simply amazing.
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Absolutely stunning to see both sides at the same time, thank you for once again putting together an amazing experience!
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Awesome man, Paul Smith is the red sprite man! When I started lightning photography in 2008, i made it my bucket list shot, knowing no one had ever captured it properly. Then in 2016 I shot some awesome lightning storms in Philippines, didn’t notice them until Paul pointed it out. Now he captures them like no one ever before, he’s totally got it figured out. Huge respect, to both of you!
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That spark of excitement when the +CGs and Sprites fire is difficult to understand unless you've experienced it yourself, never gets old. Great video as always man.
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Always a good day when Hank uploads! Love your content, and congrats on a million subscribers. You've earned it!
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Wena Hank algún día voy a ir a cazar tormentas a USA, espero encontrarte por ahí jsjjaj
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It was you and your previous captures of these TLE Sprites that made me first aware of such a phenomenon and your description back then explained it well in its entirety, but to see the effects in a real-time comparison is something really quite unique and hits home the process taking place. Absolutely beautiful and educational (with your personality to polish). Kudos to Paul for the team effort too.
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Teaming up with a buddy to film storms from different angles like this must be so interesting and fun. Great idea and amazing footage.
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i have trauma relating to thunderstorms, but i just cant get enough of your videos hank. listening to you explain everything and watching your footage is oddly soothing. congrats on one million subs!!
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First video of 2023. Good to see another upload from ya, Hank. Happy New Year everyone 🎉
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Lightning is absolutely my favorite thing when it comes to storms. Thanks for this video!
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Yesss! I love it when my favorite YouTubers post :D
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Lightning is AMAZING! immersive experience every time i see en’ great vid hank! cant wait for the tornadoes if 2022 vid too! ❤❤
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Oooooh new video! Love to see the content and the beautiful views!
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🌩️ Thanks for a great start to 2023! ⚡😎✌🏼
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When Paul mentioned he hoped he wouldn't get bugged by the cops, I can still imagine an officer on patrol rolling up to check on things and have Paul show him (possibly) his first sprites ever seen.
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So excited to watch you get back out there this spring and chase them storms! Happy 2023 Y’all!
