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Credit & Copyright: Pekka Parviainen
(Polar Image)
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.
Recent evidence indicates that at least some
noctilucent clouds result from freezing water exhaust from
Space Shuttles.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Earth - atmosphere - clouds - noctilucent clouds - sunset
Publications with words: Earth - atmosphere - clouds - noctilucent clouds - sunset
See also:
- APOD: 2025 September 7 Á All the Water on Planet Earth
- APOD: 2025 September 6 Á Sardinia Sunset
- APOD: 2025 August 17 Á Asperitas Clouds Over New Zealand
- APOD: 2025 July 11 Á The Veins of Heaven
- APOD: 2025 June 15 Á Two Worlds One Sun
- APOD: 2025 June 3 Á Rainbow Airglow over the Azores
- Nacreous Clouds over Sweden