Description

Noctilucent clouds

Noctilucent clouds, or night shining clouds are cloud-like phenomena in the upper parts of Earth’s atmosphere.These clouds are not fully understood and are a recently discovered phenomenon, first written records of observation are from 1885.

Unlike regular clouds these clouds are the highest existing clouds and exist in the mesosphere at around 80km altitude. These type of clouds are only visible during the summer months when the Sun has already set but is still lighting these very high altitude clouds. It is quite a rare phenomenon.

Previous/older images:

Image data

Name Noctilucent clouds
Type
Constellation
Right ascension
Declination
Distance
Other designations