Two fireballs and an unusual red sprite leave stunning images in Spain

The Calar Alto Observatory, in the province of Almería, Spain, recorded during the early mornings of September 10 and 11 three astronomical phenomena of great interest: two fireballs of cometary origin and a "sprite" or red sprite caused by a strong storm. The first phenomenon occurred at 02:29 (peninsular Spanish local time) on September 10. The preliminary analysis by Professor Madiedo indicates that a rock detached from a comet entered the atmosphere at an estimated speed of 128,000 kilometers per hour. The fireball began at approximately 98 kilometers altitude over the province of Ciudad Real, moving northwestward until it extinguished at 38 kilometers. On the same night, the cameras also documented a very brief and difficult-to-study event: a red sprite ("sprite"). This phenomenon, which lasts between 3 and 10 milliseconds, was triggered by a powerful storm front developed in the vicinity of the Almeriense observatory.