Uruguay has witnessed the phenomenon known as "sprites" for the first time, which are giant lightning strikes of unprecedented power that strike upwards and only appear during severe storms. Local meteorologist Matias Medeiros, 23, managed to capture several red flashes during a severe maritime storm that erupted in Argentina and Uruguay. He stated, "I can't believe I was able to capture them." Medeiros explained that the unusual flashes in the sky were forms of "plasma," that is, energy present in the area of the cyclone. He added, "When the powerful lightning strikes, you see the energy released, while (sprites) differ from the lightning people are accustomed to in that they strike upwards rather than downwards, creating bright flashes in the sky."
It is noted that "sprites" are very rare types of lightning, occurring at very high altitudes, specifically in the mesosphere and thermosphere. Furthermore, it has long been known that they appear during extremely intense thunderstorms at altitudes ranging from approximately 50 to 130 kilometers, while regular lightning does not exceed 16 kilometers. Their length can reach 60 kilometers, with a diameter of 100 kilometers. They are sometimes observed by astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
