Two Spectacular Atmospheric Phenomena

In a clear mid-summer evening two spectacular atmospheric phenomena put on a show over the Baltic sea, the eastern coast of Sweden near Stockholm. Colorful aurora borealis and the Noctilucent or night-shining clouds (NLCs) which appear lower near the horizon. These mysterious clouds form near the edge of space, reflecting sunlight from about 80 kilometers above Earth’s surface. They are usually spotted above the Polar Regions in summer. Added by the photographer “I was camping here with my family for the annual Perseid meteor Shower. Later when they went to their sleeping bags by the campfire I had one of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen in a long time. NLC and Aurora at the same time. And during the time I also enjoyed several bright Perseids (see one of them here).” © P-M Heden