Well, proponents of the electric universe theory have an interesting explanation. First of all: lighting is not caused by clouds rubbing together. It is a resul

Well, proponents of the electric universe theory have an interesting explanation. First of all: lighting is not caused by clouds rubbing together. It is a result of the protective capacitance layer in the upper atmosphere leaking. Sprites are discharges from surrounding space across the ionosphere which trickles further down CAUSING thunderstorms and electric discharge to ground, or lightening.