Discover the extremely rare noctilucent clouds identified in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland

Noctilucent clouds look a lot like cirrus clouds because of their streaks, but can take many forms. Their name translates from Latin to “shining at night” as they typically appear a silvery blueshining as brightly as the brightest stars in the night sky. They can be seen at night because they are so high in the atmosphere that they can continue to reflect sunlight. This is when they are most often observed.

Noctilucent clouds have been seen across Scotland in recent weeksfrom the Scottish Borders to Aberdeen and the Western Hebrides, along the Scottish Highlands. Photographs were taken in locations such as Wick, Sutherland, Lanarkshire, Lewis, South Uist.

SFighting also took place in Englandincluding the counties of Oxfordshire and Cumbria. More recently, fFootage of noctilucent clouds seen from Lincolnshire has been shared on social media today.

These very unusual images have recently been observed across much of the UK. Sightings have also been made in Ireland and Northern Ireland in the night sky.

Why are noctilucent clouds rare?

The UK Met Office describes them as extremely rare cloud typesThey form in the upper atmosphere as a result of the combination of ice crystals. Like other clouds, they require steam, dust and low temperatures to form, But dust and water vapour are rare in the upper layers of the atmosphere, adding to the rarity of their formation, according to the Met Office.

This dust could come from asteroids or “micrometeorites falling to Earth from space,” or even dust left over from volcanic activity, the Royal Museums Greenwich explained. The dust particles could come from micrometeorites falling to Earth from space, or even dust left over from volcanic eruptions.

When they see it tends to be located in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, only the extreme south of Argentina, Chile and the Arctic might have the optimal latitude for them.

The highest regions of the atmosphere: the mesosphere

As mentioned, Noctilucent clouds exist in the upper regions of the atmosphere, specifically in the mesosphere. It is the third highest layer of the atmosphere, occupying the region above the stratosphere, directly below the thermosphere. It exists at approximately 30 to 50 miles above sea level according to NOAA. Temperatures drop significantly there because it is the coldest place on Earth, with a temperature of around 85°C.

The mesosphere is where meteorites enter and disintegrate. This is also where the highest clouds in the atmosphere can occur, but will only be visible to the naked eye if the timing is perfect in terms of dust, steam and sunlight reflecting off them an hour or two after sunset, or just before sunrise.

Looking at images of noctilucents taken across Scotland, we can appreciate not only the height at which they form, but also the whole special factors involved to create a shimmering “night light” type glow in heaven for us on Earth.