Secondary gigantic jets as possible inducers of sprites

Three multi-transient luminous events, which were recorded by ISUAL on FORMOSAT-2 and shared a similar generating sequence, are reported. Each event began with a positive cloud-to-ground lightning discharge (CG)-induced sprite, and a secondary gigantic jet (GJ) followed within ~30-50 ms. Then, 1 ms after the GJ, a new sprite occurred near the GJ without associated impulsive lightning signal. The associated electromagnetic signal for one of the events indicates that the GJ is a negative cloud-to-ionosphere discharge carrying a high peak current moment. Cross-analysis of the spectral, image, and electromagnetic data of these three events indicates that the new sprites are likely induced by the secondary GJs, and the high current moment of the secondary GJs appears to be a crucial factor for the induction of the new sprites. Hence, these secondary GJs may have played a role in inducing sprites as much as the negative CGs do for the occurrence of negative sprites. Key Points Three possible GJ-induced sprites observed by ISUAL are analyzed and reported The high current moment GJs may be the key factor in the induction of sprites The secondary GJ discharge seems to be more impulsive than the typical GJs.