Stunning Noctilucent Clouds Shine Brightly in the UK

By Nancy Atkinson - July 1, 2011 at 5:41 PM UTC | Planetary Science

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Mysterious "night shining" or Noctilucent Clouds are beautiful to behold, and here are some gorgeous examples what skywatchers in the UK have been experiencing.

Stu Atkinson

took this stunning panoramic view from Kendal Castle. (Click image for access to a larger version). NLCs are usually seen during the summertime, appearing at sunset. They are thin, wavy ice clouds that form at very high altitudes and reflect sunlight long after the Sun has dropped below the horizon. Scientists don't know exactly why they form, and they seem to be appearing more and more in recent times.

See more below.

Science writer

Will Gater

also had a great view of NLCs this morning. Click the image to see his animation, or see more of his images and animations

at his website post.

[caption id="attachment_87183" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="NLCs seen over the UK on July 1, 2011. Click to see animation. Credit: Will Gater"]

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[caption id="attachment_87182" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Another view of Noctilucent Clouds from Kendal Castle in the UK on July 1, 2011. Credit: Stu Atkinson"]

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See more from Stu Atkinson at his

Cumbrian Sky website.