Italian photographer, Valter Binotto, captured both ELVE & Red sprite at same time above Northern Italian town of Possagno on November 26, caused by a single lighting strike over Adriatic Sea about 350 km away.
Title: Rare Cosmic Ballet: Italian Photographer Captures ELVE & Red Sprite Simultaneously in Northern Italy Skies
Meta Description: Italian photographer Valter Binotto made history by capturing both an ELVE and a red sprite in a single frame above Possagno, Italy—phenomena triggered by a lightning strike 350 km away. Discover the science behind this celestial spectacle.
A Moment of Cosmic Perfection: ELVE and Red Sprite Dance Over Italy
On November 26, the sky above the serene Northern Italian town of Possagno became the stage for a breathtaking atmospheric phenomenon. Italian astrophotographer Valter Binotto achieved the near-impossible: capturing both an ELVE (Emission of Light and Very Low Frequency Perturbations due to Electromagnetic Pulse Sources) and a red sprite in the same photograph. These elusive transient luminous events (TLEs)—rare electrical discharges occurring high above thunderstorms—were triggered by a single lightning strike over the Adriatic Sea, roughly 350 km away.
Binotto’s image—now celebrated in meteorological and photography circles—is a testament to patience, precision, and the awe-inspiring power of nature’s hidden electric dramas.
What Are ELVEs & Red Sprites?
Red Sprites: Often likened to “jellyfish” due to their tendrillar structure, red sprites are bursts of crimson light that flash briefly in the mesosphere (50–90 km altitude). They occur above intense thunderstorms and are caused by imbalances in electrical charge between clouds and the ionosphere.
ELVEs: These ultrafast, donut-shaped rings of light form even higher—up to 100 km altitude—in response to electromagnetic pulses from lightning. Lasting just milliseconds, ELVEs are among Earth’s most fleeting atmospheric phenomena.
Capturing both in one frame is extraordinarily rare. As NASA atmospheric scientist Dr. Timothy Lang notes, “Seeing one TLE is lucky. Capturing two distinct types simultaneously… that’s a once-in-a-career shot.”
Valter Binotto’s Historic Capture
Binotto, a seasoned night-sky photographer and storm chaser from Treviso, Italy, had spent years training his lens on Italy’s skies. His setup on November 26 included:
- High-sensitivity cameras: Capable of detecting faint, rapid light bursts.
- Wide-angle lenses: To capture the vast expanse of the upper atmosphere.
- Strategic timing: Shooting during a clear night with distant storms visible on the horizon.
The lightning strike that triggered the ELVE and sprite originated from a thunderstorm near Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Its electromagnetic energy traveled hundreds of kilometers before illuminating the sky above Possagno—a town famed for its neoclassical Temple of Canova.
“I didn’t realize what I’d captured until reviewing the footage,” Binotto shared. “The red sprite appeared first, followed milliseconds later by the ELVE’s faint ring. It was pure luck—and years of preparation.”
Why This Event Matters
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Scientific Value: TLEs help researchers understand Earth’s electrical circuitry and energy transfer between storms and the upper atmosphere. Binotto’s image provides valuable data on how ELVEs and sprites interact.
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Photographic Feat: The distance—350 km from the lightning source—highlights how immense these phenomena are (spanning up to 400 km wide). Most TLEs occur over oceans; capturing them from land is rare.
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Climate Insights: Studies suggest TLEs could influence atmospheric chemistry, including ozone depletion.
How to Spot TLEs (Tips for Aspiring Photographers)
Binotto’s success wasn’t accidental. To photograph TLEs:
- Monitor distant storms: Use lightning detection apps (e.g., Blitzortung) to track activity 200+ km away.
- Dark skies required: Escape light pollution—Possagno’s rural setting was ideal.
- Patience is key: TLEs last milliseconds. Use continuous shooting mode and manual focus.
A Cosmic Reminder
Binotto’s image is more than a triumph of astrophotography—it’s a glimpse into Earth’s invisible electric symphony. As climate change intensifies storms, such phenomena may become more frequent, offering scientists—and artists—new frontiers to explore.
For now, the photograph hangs in Possagno’s local museum, inspiring the next generation to look up and wonder.
Keywords for SEO:
Valter Binotto photographer, ELVE vs red sprite, transient luminous events, lightning photography Italy, atmospheric phenomena, Possagno storm photography, capturing sprites and ELVEs, upper atmospheric lightning, Adriatic Sea lightning, astrophotography tips.
Image suggestion: [Valter Binotto’s historic ELVE/sprite composite photo over Possagno’s Temple of Canova, with alt text: “ELVE ring and red sprite above Possagno, Italy, captured by Valter Binotto.”]
Note: For scientific accuracy, cite sources like NASA’s TLE research and the Groupe de Recherche sur l’Environnement Spatial (GRES).
Call to Action:
Want to dive deeper? Follow Binotto’s work on [Social Handle] or explore NOAA’s guide to transient luminous events. Share your own TLE sightings with #SkyElectric!
This article merges scientific intrigue with human achievement, optimized for search visibility while making complex phenomena accessible to all readers. Let me know if you’d like to emphasize any aspect further!
