Noctilucent clouds at midnight on the Summer Solstice

[Tim Tucker 2]

Just took this about an hour ago from the back yard looking almost due north:

(EDIT) The second image has been edited. I just wasn't happy with the impression, it looked far too literal and far too much like normal clouds, lost it's impression of *glow*. Hopefully this gives a better representation:

 

[WesternGuy]

Very nice. I would be looking for some in my part of the world, but it is our annual "monsoon" season with rain and thundershowers, so I will have to wait until I get a clear night. I am curious about how long after sunset that this was taken.

WesternGuy

 

[Tim Tucker 2]

I am curious about how long after sunset that this was taken.

WesternGuy

It was taken around 12.20am BST (local time), sunset is 10.02pm (sunrise 4.26am), so well after Civil Twilight but still in Nautical Twilight here. The effect was fading by 12.30am and gone shortly after.

 

[Jeff1549 49]

Very interesting sky........

 

[Jeff G]

Very cool shot! I'm a sucker for cool cloud formations.

 

[Tim Tucker 2]

Very interesting sky........

Very cool shot! I'm a sucker for cool cloud formations.

It's very cool... about -120 degrees C. They form in the Mesosphere slightly below the mesopause, about 75kms up. They are thin and only form in the polar summers as it's the only time the Mesosphere is cold enough. They are too faint to be seen normally but show up in Astronomical twilight when the sun is far enough below the horizon for the sky to be dark and the clouds are lit from below. They appear to glow and their electric blue colour is apparently something to do with the consistency in size of the ice crystals and the light passing through the ozone below. Quite rare, and unfortunately their increased sightings are very likely linked to global warming effects.

 

[WesternGuy]

I am curious about how long after sunset that this was taken.

WesternGuy

It was taken around 12.20am BST (local time), sunset is 10.02pm (sunrise 4.26am), so well after Civil Twilight but still in Nautical Twilight here. The effect was fading by 12.30am and gone shortly after.

Thanks.

WesternGuy

 

[K9Kirk]

Nice pics!