Frightening "Red Jellyfish" In The Sky Has People Thinking We Are In An Episode Of Stranger Things

Unless you are not a TV or Netflix fan, I am sure you have heard of the show Stranger Things. One of the things that makes that show so memorable is the terrifying monsters. Whether it is the demo-dogs or the Mind Flayer, you always know something ominous is coming when the sky lights up that eerie red color. Well, NASA recently shared a photo that has people thinking we might be living in the Upside Down as frightening "red jellyfish" light up the sky.

What Are These Frightening "Red Jellyfish" In The Sky?

Okay, so naturally we all know that there are not actually sky jellyfish - although that would be terrifying as well. Instead, this strange phenomenon was coined that name because, well, it does look like red jellyfish shooting down from the sky. However, NASA puts that speculation, as well as any mention of extra-terrestrials, to rest.

Instead, they shared what this strange phenomenon actually is. In their X Post, they share that "This fleeting red flash above a thunderstorm cloud is one of Earth's most elusive electrical phenomena!" Then they elaborate that the said phenomenon is "called sprites!" More commonly, this occurance is known as red lightning.

Space.com shared details on why and how this strange phenomenon occurs. They shared that these "red jellyfish" or red lightning are typically associated with very intense thunderstorms. During those intense storms, this red lightning flashes across the sky. However, it acts differently from regular lightning.

Red Lightning Vs. Regular Lightning

Space.com shared that "While an ordinary lightning flash extends downward from the clouds to the ground, a sprite shoots way up into the upper reaches of the atmosphere." Furthermore, this red lightning only lasts for about a millisecond. So not only is it rare, but it is challenging to study. Still, scientists have managed to learn a thing or two about this terrifying lighting as it streaks across the sky.

• Similar to regular lightning, red lightning is caused by "a build-up of electrical charge in clouds."
• Unlike regular lightning, the excess charge is released "to the ionosphere rather than to the ground."
• Sprites are typically red in color.
• Their shapes vary between jellyfish and carrots.
• They are usually much larger than a regular lightning strike.