Polar mesospheric clouds over South Pacific Ocean

Polar mesospheric clouds over South Pacific Ocean

Polar mesospheric clouds—also known as noctilucent or “night shining” clouds—form between 76 to 85 kilometers (47 to 53 miles) above the Earth’s surface, near the boundary of the mesosphere and thermosphere, a region known as the…

Start of Noctilucent Clouds season

Start of Noctilucent Clouds season

Noctilucent clouds (NLCs) turn on every year in late spring, reaching almost full intensity over a period of no more than 5 to 10 days. These electric-blue ice clouds hang 85 km (53 miles ) above Earth’s surface, at the edge of space itself, circling the north and