The Noctilucent Cloud Thread

James M · #1 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 08:52 AM

Hi all, as there have been quite a few threads discussing this phenomenon and there have been a lot of recent sightings, I thought it would be good to have one place to discuss and post our sightings.

Noctilucent (night shining) clouds are the highest clouds in Earths atmosphere, made up of water ice crystals located in the Mesosphere. They can only form at temperatures of below about -120C, so mainly form during the summer when the Mesosphere is coldest. Normally NLCs are too faint to be seen and are only visible when illuminated by sunlight from below the horizon (best between 6 and 16 degrees below) and so can only be seen in twilight around sunset and sunrise. They are mainly seen at latitudes of 50 to 65 degrees, rarely at lower latitudes or closer to the poles. For reasons no one understands they seem appear most frequently at times of solar minimum, like this year, so it's as good a time as any to keep a look out!

Found a great Gallery of photos of recent displays on spaceweather.com
Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery -- Summer 2009: Page 7

ChrisJB · #2 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 07:49 PM

Good idea James. Wouldn't mind catching up with these fancy clouds.

Regards, Chris

James M · #3 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 11:35 PM

Was looking good for me tonight with really clear skies, then as soon as I get my camera out it's clouded over typical! lol

LynM · #4 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 09:14 AM

Let's hope that the next few days with high pressure and clearish skies will let us all see some of these.

There is a new cloud book out with examples of noctilucent and all the other unusual types. It is called "Extraordinary Clouds" and is by Richard Hamblyn. Full price is just shy of £10, but I'm sure that it can be found for less....

James M · #5 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LynM

Let's hope that the next few days with high pressure and clearish skies will let us all see some of these.

There is a new cloud book out with examples of noctilucent and all the other unusual types. It is called "Extraordinary Clouds" and is by Richard Hamblyn. Full price is just shy of £10, but I'm sure that it can be found for less....

Thanks Lyn, I'll have to look out for that, sounds interesting!

If anyone is in the area, it's very clear here, so it might be worth a look.

James M · #6 (**permalink**) 23-06-2009, 04:04 AM

Well had a look out just now and typically it had clouded over! nevertheless I did catch a faint glimpse through the clouds as it began to get a bit too light, wonderful things to see.

Jim Ford · #7 (**permalink**) 23-06-2009, 12:26 PM

I've posted the link to this excellent site before, but it's well worth repeating:

Noctilucent Cloud Images

Jim

Vectisbirder · #8 (**permalink**) 23-06-2009, 02:14 PM

It was cloudy here last night so no noctilucent cloud spotting for me. I will try again tonight as it looks like it will be a clear one.

James M · #9 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 12:17 AM

Probably the first properly clear night for many tonight, fingers crossed some are sighted.

James M · #10 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 03:49 AM

Well been out again tonight and had another look and did see some, only a faint display tonight though. Managed to get some pics but they are very poor

, too embarassed to put them up! lol, also had the problem of buildings, trees and hills being in the way as I was limited to the back garden, plus the midges were vicious! so I didn't spend too long out.

Vectisbirder · #11 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 11:46 AM

No noctilucent clouds for me here. This has to be a first - being disappointed at the LACK of clouds in the sky!

cutecoot · #12 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 01:20 PM

Nice photo of noctilucent cloud on my 'Astronomy Picture of the Day' on my Google homepage today

:

Astronomy Picture of the Day

(That site/webpage has some really great photos .. different one every day, as the name suggests!)

Jim Ford · #13 (**permalink**) 24-06-2009, 07:34 PM

Checked last night at about 2300 Hrs - zilch!

Jim

sidewalkdoctor · #14 (**permalink**) 28-06-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutecoot

Nice photo of noctilucent cloud on my 'Astronomy Picture of the Day' on my Google homepage today

:

Astronomy Picture of the Day

(That site/webpage has some really great photos .. different one every day, as the name suggests!)

Very true, a great site, in my favourites.

cutecoot · #15 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewalkdoctor

Very true, a great site, in my favourites.

Great stuff

ChrisJB · #16 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 10:08 PM

Faint display last night in the South Pennines. Very nice too.

Regards, Chris

James M · #17 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 10:15 PM

Great spot Chris, I haven't been looking out for them these last few days, will have a look out tomorrow morning as I'm getting up at 3am/4am to go for a walk.

ChrisJB · #18 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James M

Great spot Chris, I haven't been looking out for them these last few days, will have a look out tomorrow morning as I'm getting up at 3am/4am to go for a walk.

Ooh 'stondin' t' crow as Ammon Wrigley (the man in statue form in Uppermill and my favourite author) called such early starts. You'll have a great time. You can't beat being out just before sunrise. Let me know how you get on.

Regards, Chris

James M · #19 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Ooh 'stondin' t' crow as Ammon Wrigley (the man in statue form in Uppermill and my favourite author) called such early starts. You'll have a great time. You can't beat being out just before sunrise. Let me know how you get on.

Regards, Chris

Yeah it is great, I went out at around 5am last Sunday and even then it was so eeriely quiet and it was quite strange for me seeing no cars on the road lol.

Adam Cheeseman · #20 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 08:57 AM

Very faint clouds around 11pm from Northwest London on Friday night.

Cheers,

Adam

Jim Ford · #21 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

You can't beat being out just before sunrise.

Sunrise! You mean that it's like sunset in reverse? I always thought that the sun just appeared about 10 degrees above the horizon!
;^)

Jim

ChrisJB · #22 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Sunrise! You mean that it's like sunset in reverse? I always thought that the sun just appeared about 10 degrees above the horizon!
;^)

Jim

Er, quite.

Regards, N. Dentressangle

James M · #23 (**permalink**) 13-07-2009, 12:07 AM

An amazing display tonight! I first spotted faint wisps and then watched as it steadily grew brighter, as the sun sank further below the horizon to the ideal angle, at one point it seemed to nearly fill the whole sky! I managed to get some photos again, but my poor shots do not do it justice! though at least they are better than the last ones I took as you can actually see something