Noctilucent Clouds
Explanation:
Sometimes it's night on the ground but day in the air.
As the Earth rotates to eclipse the Sun,
sunset rises up from the ground.
Therefore, at sunset on the ground,
sunlight still shines on
clouds above.
Under usual circumstances, a
pretty sunset
might be visible, but unusual
noctilucent clouds float so high up they
can be seen well after dark.
Pictured above, a network of
noctilucent clouds casts a colorful but eerie glow
visible above the dark.
Although
noctilucent clouds are thought to be composed of
small ice-coated particles,
much remains unknown about them.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
