NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite detects around one million lightning flashes per day from its perch high above the Earth. It is the first of four NOAA satellites that’s equipped with geostationary lightning mappers and is joined by similar satellites launched by Europe and China.

Lightning is a familiar sight in stormy skies, but a new report has revealed just how far some bolts can travel — in one case, more than 500 miles.