Sprite/Blue Jet Chasing

[Greg Blumberg]

I am curious to figure out if anyone here has any experience in chasing sprites.

Anyone experience in capturing photos of blue jets and sprites? I know they use high speed cameras to get photos of these usually, but is it at all possible to capture this with regular DSLRs?

I've found some resources online:

Just wanted to know if it was worth my time to go out and try this sometime:

http://www.fma-research.com/Papers&presentations/spr-view-1.html

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

http://www.lightningwizard.com/Sprites.php

Not sure if that was one you found or not.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

I captured a fast moving one as it zipped by, but none of the regular ones you are talking about.

 

[Greg Blumberg]

That's a fantastic shot! What shutter speed did you use for that one?

...Sigh. Somehow I knew that someone would make a reference to that.

Mike, I actually didn't see that, but that's quite a fantastic collection of images. If I read it correctly; they used a security camera to grab these pictures?

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

That's a fantastic shot! What shutter speed did you use for that one?

...Sigh. Somehow I knew that someone would make a reference to that.

Mike, I actually didn't see that, but that's quite a fantastic collection of images. If I read it correctly; they used a security camera to grab these pictures?

Sounds like it. I am rather certain he posted about these on here somewhere, so searching his name/posts would probably turn up some good info.

 

[Oscar van der Velde]

Yes, it is possible to capture sprites and jets with a DSLR, however you need to use very short exposure times to reduce any background glare. With moonlight I had to go down to 1 second. It is much better to use a modified DSLR (no IR-blocking). How to know when to stop clicking and check the many files... this is where CCTV video-based detection (or night-vision equipment) comes handy. It is possible to see the sprite with your eyes but it is more likely to miss it. I only start taking photos as soon as the system has started to produce sprites at a somewhat steady rate (usually once per 1-5 minutes).
For jets you need to be very lucky. Be close to the storm, preferably within 50 miles, because blue light is scattered a factor of 5-15 more than red light with distance. There have only been few observations of jets since their discovery in 1994. Some amazing jets were recorded last fall in Japan from a supercell having incredible flash rates. Typically one could expect a jet once in a few years of continuous observation. The same for trolls, which is a freaky interaction of sprites and the storm resulting in a bunch of upward things looking like jets or gigantic jets. We got a new one over southern France last September.

If you want to get seriously involved and sure to get images, take a CCTV setup (Watec 902H2 Ultimate, 8, 12 or 16mm lens, video grabber, computer with UFOCapture). A color camera like Watec 221S would also work, albeit slightly less sensitive. Use also a GPS time inserter, you and the scientific world will be grateful for it once you capture a rare event. You may want to contact Walter Lyons to join his network. With the same camera setup and wide lens you can do meteor/fireball patrols. With moderate gain settings you can record 6th magnitude stars. For sprites I use only low gain settings.

In any case, it's fun, especially if you like to be awake during the night more than the day! (unless you leave the camera running continuously)

I will update my sprites section soon, I got much better images last year.
Take my Christmas/New Year's greeting card as teaser (despite compression)
http://www.lightningwizard.com/Movies/Video/oscar_wishes2009.wmv

We have now also obtained high-speed videos here in Spain, that's where the real fireworks shows start... but it doesn't seem affordable for amateurs any time soon

Oscar

 

[S. Scott]

Greg,

I recently retired from the Air Force and used to fly many nights using the night vision goggles. I can tell you they are invaluable for watching sprites. I had always had an interest in this subject, but never thought of it till it happened one night. Of course the models we used were Gen 3's, and not everyone has those $'s laying around, the less expensive styles may work for sprites just as well???? Love to hear about other ways of catching them if you find it. now that I have time to slow down maybe I can catch some on film?

Scott

 

[Joe Karel]

There's a professor at Mankato State University named Dr. Cecil Keen, he had a project going here to study sprites with a camera on top of the university that just taped storms miles away. If you go to www.mnsu.edu/weather and click on 'current weather' on the left side bar, then click on 'skycam', then 'time lapse videos', there's a couple videos of some sprites he captured. I have a class with him and I've talked to him a few times but nothing in depth about the sprites. He's a real cool guy and his contact information is on that website too. He may answer any questions you have about capturing them if you send him an email but then again I can't gaurentee anything