Look North as the stars appear in June and July to have a chance of seeing rare noctilucent (or 'night-shining') clouds with the naked eye.
Look up an hour or two after sunset and before sunrise over the next few months and you may see ethereal blue, silver or golden streaks in the Northern Hemisphere's northern skies.
Called noctilucent clouds ) or NLCs, these strange-looking patterns in the sky are the highest, driest, coldest and rarest clouds on Earth, according to a 2018 study of the phenomenon. These shimmering, night-shining clouds appear in the mesosphere — a layer of Earth's atmosphere above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, about 47 to 53 miles above Earth's surface. Sometimes dubbed"space clouds," NLCs form just below the invisible boundary where Earth's atmosphere ends and outer space begins, roughly 62 miles above the planet's surface, according to NASA.
NLC sightings were at a 15-year high last summer, according to the Washington Post. Sightings have become more frequent in recent years and at lower latitudes, possibly because climate change generates more water vapor in the atmosphere as a result of increased atmospheric methane, according to NOAA.
For the best chance to see some NLCs in the evening, you'll need a good view low to the northern horizon as the stars begin to shine in late twilight. It's typical to see displays in the bottom 20 to 25 degrees of the northern sky, according to Sky & Telescope.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two North County water districts look to part ways with San Diego Water AuthorityFallbrook and Rainbow are both hopeful the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission will vote in favor of proposals to purchase water from the Eastern Municipal Water District.
Read more »
Scientists claim they're the first to transmit space-based solar power to Earth | EngadgetA team of Caltech researchers claim to be the first to successfully transmit solar power from space to Earth..
Read more »
Scorched Earth: Seasonal fruits and vegetables on the grill make for perfect summer cookoutsGrilling isn't just for steaks — many vegetables and fruits undergo a magical metamorphosis on the grill. summer grilling barbecue SanAntonio SATX SanAntonioTX SanAntonioFood SanAntonioRestaurants
Read more »
New 'quasi-moon' discovered near Earth has been traveling alongside our planet since 100 BCAstronomers recently identified asteroid 2023 FW13 as a quasi-moon, a space rock orbiting the sun nearly in tandem with Earth.
Read more »
The asteroid that shadows the EarthA new asteroid has been discovered orbiting the Earth, interacting only weakly with the planet in a way that classifies the object as a 'quasi-moon'.
Read more »
Europe Aims for SpaceX-Like Commercial Cargo Missions to Earth OrbitThe European Space Agency is inviting proposals from the private sector for spacecraft capable of transporting cargo to the ISS.
Read more »