Sprites, Elves, Ghosts & More: Photographing Transient Luminous Events

On dark nights, high above powerful thunderstorms, ethereal red jellyfish-like structures flash and fade from existence. Discovered in 1989, Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) are rare electrical discharges that are triggered by exceptionally powerful lightning activity. TLEs were once thought to be nearly impossible for amateurs to observe, but advances in camera technology and a better understanding of this phenomenon now allow photographers to capture them for themselves, and potentially contribute to science in the process.

With minimal practice, dark skies and plenty of patience, you can capture these rarely seen phenomena for yourself. In this talk, Stephen Hummel, astrophotographer and astronomer at Texas’ McDonald Observatory will show you how.