AJO, Ariz. - Storm chaser John Sirlin caught an elusive type of electrical phenomenon as he photographed a storm Tuesday night near Ajo, Arizona.
The brilliant red tendrils of light seen flashing over the looming storm cloud are known to meteorologists as red sprites. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this type of occurrence is rarely seen and not well understood.
"It's something that just absolutely fascinated me. I do a lot of regular lightning photography, but to me it's probably—they're just something cool and different, and it's still a little bit mysterious because people don't fully understand them," Sirlin said.
The NOAA says red sprites can extend up to 60 miles from a cloud top directly above and active thunderstorm.
The flashes are mostly red and usually last only a few seconds, according to the NOAA.
Because sprites are not very bright, they can only be seen at night, the NOAA says. The sprites are also rarely seen with the human eye and are most often observed with highly sensitive cameras.