IT IS ALL SOUND & LIGHT SIGNIFYING MANY THINGS

Known as the abode of Gods, the Himalayas and specially its highest peak Mount Everest are full of mysteries. Some solved many yet to unfold. Apart from loud thuds, the Himalayas    are also known for various unexplained phenomena, such as strange lights and sightings reported by locals and visitors.

These mysterious occurrences add to the mystique of the region and have inspired numerous legends and folklore.

This time a breathtaking series of gigantic jets was recently captured by NASA, shooting up from a thunderstorm over the Himalayan Mountains on the border between China and Bhutan. This rare celestial event occurred this month and was preserved in a composite image by NASA, showing four lightning discharges happening within minutes of each other.

Gigantic jets are a unique and powerful type of lightning that extends from the top of a thunderstorm cloud all the way to the edge of space. These phenomena, relatively recent discoveries in atmospheric science, have been documented only recently. Unlike the more familiar types of lightning—cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground—gigantic jets bridge the gap between thunderstorms and the Earth’s ionosphere, soaring high above the storm clouds.

Another longstanding mystery of eerie sounds after nightfall from the glaciers surrounding the mountain’s summit was solved recently. A team of researchers led by glaciologist Evgeny Podolskiy from the Arctic Research Center at Hokkaido University meticulously had collected data on the glacier’s vibrations. Their analysis revealed a remarkable correlation between the chilling drop in temperature after sundown and the exploding sound of cracking ice. Published in the esteemed journal Geophysical Research Letters, their findings shed light on the intricate relationship between temperature fluctuations and seismic activity within glaciers.

The image, named NASA’s Astronomy Photo of the Day for June 18, beautifully illustrates the complexity of these jets. The lower portions of the jets resemble blue jets, which are lightning strikes that reach from the cloud upward, while their upper sections are similar to red sprites, which extend into the upper atmosphere.

Despite ongoing research, the exact mechanisms and triggers behind gigantic jets remain somewhat mysterious. However, it is understood that they play a role in balancing electrical charges between different atmospheric layers. Observing such phenomena usually requires viewing a distant but powerful thunderstorm from a clear vantage point.

Interestingly, a few years ago, a plane passenger flying from Munich to Singapore captured images of a lightning storm that included a gigantic jet. This jet was caught in a single 3.2-second exposure above Bhadrak in Odisha, in 2018, showcasing the rare and stunning nature of these atmospheric events.

While many of these mysteries may have rational explanations rooted in science and nature, the allure of the Himalayas as a place of wonder and mystery continues to captivate people’s imagination and curiosity. The region’s remote and rugged landscape, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual significance all contribute to its mystique and appeal as a source of fascination for adventurers, researchers, and storytellers alike.

Local folklore says and people believe the guardian spirits and mythological supernatural beings in the Himalayas are said to roam the rugged landscape, their presence both awe-inspiring and enigmatic. It was assumed that they and their supernatural movements make enigmatic lights and sounds.