ASIM on Columbus

The Atmosphere–Space Interactions Monitor, or ASIM, will be installed outside the European space laboratory Columbus to monitor electric events at high altitudes, in this artists rendition ASIM is visible to the right. 

For years, their existence has been debated: elusive electrical discharges in the upper atmosphere that sport names such as red sprites, blue jets and elves. Reported by pilots, these ‘transient luminous events’ are difficult to study as they occur above thunderstorms.

Researchers want to investigate the relationship between terrestrial gamma-ray bursts, lightning and high-altitude electric discharges across all seasons by tracking and collecting data continuously for at least two years.