NLC Surprise

Noctilucent clouds (NLCs) are supposed to be a high-latitude phenomenon, most often seen in Canada, Russia and northern Europe. But in this view from latitude 40 degrees north the photographer surprisingly captured bright NLCs above Turkey. The notable stars in this view are constellation Taurus (left) and Auriga (middle). As noted by him “This view of Noctilucent Clouds may be one of the farthest ever from the poles. I went to mile-high Tasliyayla Plateau, 40 km south of Bolu for dark skies. Noctilucent clouds lit up as soon as the morning twilight started. It was amazing!” The Noctilucent or night-shining clouds lie near the edge of space, reflecting sunlight from about 80 kilometers above Earth’s surface. They first appeared in the late 19th century and they are usually spotted above the poles in summer, but they are now seen with increasing frequency farther from the poles. The trend could be a telltale sign of global changes in the atmosphere.