It's Noctilucent Time once again! Cloudy, with a chance of noctilucents?
Space Weather News for June 3, 2010
Every summer since the late 19th century, Earth's polar skies have lit up with gossamer, electric-blue clouds, twisting and rippling in the twilight sky. They're called noctilucent ("night-shining") because they can be seen after dark. The origin of the clouds, which hover at the very top of Earth's atmosphere in close proximity to space itself, is uncertain. They have been linked to causes as varied as meteoroids, climate change, and the icy exhaust of the space shuttle.
News flash: The 2010 noctilucent cloud season has just begun in the northern hemisphere, with sightings over Russia, Scotland and Denmark. Although noctilucent clouds were once a phenomenon of high latitudes only, in recent years they have been sighted in the United States as far south as Colorado and Utah.
Visit SpaceWeather.com for photos and observing tips. #
~:~
Hmmmm...since the late 1800s? Sounds like a case against massive Industrialism's atmosphere fouling to me, for starters. But perhaps I jump to conclusions...
Showing posts with label noctilucent clouds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label noctilucent clouds. Show all posts
Jun 20, 2008
Summer Solstice and Noctilucents
Space Weather News for June 20, 2008
SUMMER SOLSTICE: Northern summer and southern winter begin today, June 20th, at precisely 23:59 UT (7:59 pm EDT) when the sun ascends to its highest latitude on the celestial sphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, we have the longest day and shortest night of the year, and the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are changing--Happy Solstice!
NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: Summer is the season for noctilucent clouds and this morning, right on cue, a wave of bright NLCs rolled over the British Isles. Observers in Scotland and Northern Ireland report luminous tendrils of electric blue bright enough to attract the attention of casual passersby.
These glow-in-the-dark clouds are a 100+ year old mystery under investigation now by NASA's AIM spacecraft. Originally confined to arctic latitudes, NLCs have spread in recent years with sightings in the United States as far south as Utah and Colorado.
Check today's edition of SpaceWeather.com for observing tips and the latest photos.#
Astrologically, you'll find this evening's 2008 Summer Solstice chart info by scrolling below to June 18 where there's a link to the Solstice chart with details on my Jude's Threshold blog, if you so wish.
SUMMER SOLSTICE: Northern summer and southern winter begin today, June 20th, at precisely 23:59 UT (7:59 pm EDT) when the sun ascends to its highest latitude on the celestial sphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, we have the longest day and shortest night of the year, and the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are changing--Happy Solstice!
NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: Summer is the season for noctilucent clouds and this morning, right on cue, a wave of bright NLCs rolled over the British Isles. Observers in Scotland and Northern Ireland report luminous tendrils of electric blue bright enough to attract the attention of casual passersby.
These glow-in-the-dark clouds are a 100+ year old mystery under investigation now by NASA's AIM spacecraft. Originally confined to arctic latitudes, NLCs have spread in recent years with sightings in the United States as far south as Utah and Colorado.
Check today's edition of SpaceWeather.com for observing tips and the latest photos.#
Astrologically, you'll find this evening's 2008 Summer Solstice chart info by scrolling below to June 18 where there's a link to the Solstice chart with details on my Jude's Threshold blog, if you so wish.
May 8, 2008
Noctilucents!
Space Weather News for May 7, 2008
NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: On May 5th, experienced sky watchers in Northern Ireland were surprised by a sudden apparition of electric-blue noctilucent clouds (NLCs). This marks an unusually early beginning to the 2008 NLC season and may herald a spectacular summer of high-latitude "night shining" clouds.
NLCs first appeared in the 19th century mainly around Earth's poles. Since then, for reasons unknown, they have increased in number and range, with sightings in recent years as far south as Utah and Colorado. Visit SpaceWeather.com to see the first photos of 2008 and to learn what to look for in case NLCs visit your part of the world in the nights ahead.
NLC ALERTS: During summer months, subscribers to our Spaceweather PHONE service are alerted whenever bright noctilucent displays are underway.
Sign up at SpaceWeather Phone.
NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: On May 5th, experienced sky watchers in Northern Ireland were surprised by a sudden apparition of electric-blue noctilucent clouds (NLCs). This marks an unusually early beginning to the 2008 NLC season and may herald a spectacular summer of high-latitude "night shining" clouds.
NLCs first appeared in the 19th century mainly around Earth's poles. Since then, for reasons unknown, they have increased in number and range, with sightings in recent years as far south as Utah and Colorado. Visit SpaceWeather.com to see the first photos of 2008 and to learn what to look for in case NLCs visit your part of the world in the nights ahead.
NLC ALERTS: During summer months, subscribers to our Spaceweather PHONE service are alerted whenever bright noctilucent displays are underway.
Sign up at SpaceWeather Phone.
Jun 29, 2007
Venus and Saturn: get your 'scopes!
Space Weather News for June 29, 2007:
VENUS & SATURN: Saturn and Venus are converging in the sunset sky for a beautiful close encounter this weekend. At closest approach on Saturday, June 30th, the two planets will be a mere 2/3rds of a degree apart. It's a pretty sight for the unaided eye, and a great target for backyard telescopes. Even small 'scopes will reveal the rings of Saturn and the crescent shape of Venus.
Check SpaceWeather.com for sky maps and more information.
FIRST LIGHT FOR AIM: NASA's AIM spacecraft is sending back its first pictures of noctilucent clouds from Earth orbit. The clouds photographed by AIM have the same intricate structure and electric-blue glow familiar to sky watchers on Earth, but the panoramic view afforded by the spacecraft's 600 km high orbit is unlike anything we've seen before.
Check today's edition of SpaceWeather.com for one of AIM's first light images plus an updated gallery of ground-based sightings.#
Woo!
VENUS & SATURN: Saturn and Venus are converging in the sunset sky for a beautiful close encounter this weekend. At closest approach on Saturday, June 30th, the two planets will be a mere 2/3rds of a degree apart. It's a pretty sight for the unaided eye, and a great target for backyard telescopes. Even small 'scopes will reveal the rings of Saturn and the crescent shape of Venus.
Check SpaceWeather.com for sky maps and more information.
FIRST LIGHT FOR AIM: NASA's AIM spacecraft is sending back its first pictures of noctilucent clouds from Earth orbit. The clouds photographed by AIM have the same intricate structure and electric-blue glow familiar to sky watchers on Earth, but the panoramic view afforded by the spacecraft's 600 km high orbit is unlike anything we've seen before.
Check today's edition of SpaceWeather.com for one of AIM's first light images plus an updated gallery of ground-based sightings.#
Woo!
Jun 7, 2007
those mysterious noctilucents!
Space Weather News for June 7, 2007
NIGHT-SHINING CLOUDS: Last night a vivid display of electric-blue noctilucent clouds (NLCs) appeared over parts of northern Europe, signaling the start of the 2007 NLC season. Noctilucent or "night-shining" clouds were first reported in the 19th century after the eruption of super-volcano Krakatoa.
In those days, NLCs were confined mainly to high latitudes, but they have intensified and spread with sightings in recent years as far south as Utah and Colorado. The origin of these clouds is a mystery; they may be a side-effect of global warming. A NASA spacecraft named AIM is in orbit now to investigate.
The peak observing season for NLCs is late spring and early summer. For the next two months, northern sky watchers should be alert for silvery tendrils spreading across the western sky after sunset. High-latitudes (Canada, northern Europe, Alaska) are favored, but NLCs are capable of descending unknown distances south, so it pays to be alert no matter where you live. Visit SpaceWeather for pictures and observing tips.
BONUS BANG: Sunspot 960 remains big and active this week. Today's edition of SpaceWeather.com features a movie of the sunspot erupting. It's a must-see.
NIGHT-SHINING CLOUDS: Last night a vivid display of electric-blue noctilucent clouds (NLCs) appeared over parts of northern Europe, signaling the start of the 2007 NLC season. Noctilucent or "night-shining" clouds were first reported in the 19th century after the eruption of super-volcano Krakatoa.
In those days, NLCs were confined mainly to high latitudes, but they have intensified and spread with sightings in recent years as far south as Utah and Colorado. The origin of these clouds is a mystery; they may be a side-effect of global warming. A NASA spacecraft named AIM is in orbit now to investigate.
The peak observing season for NLCs is late spring and early summer. For the next two months, northern sky watchers should be alert for silvery tendrils spreading across the western sky after sunset. High-latitudes (Canada, northern Europe, Alaska) are favored, but NLCs are capable of descending unknown distances south, so it pays to be alert no matter where you live. Visit SpaceWeather for pictures and observing tips.
BONUS BANG: Sunspot 960 remains big and active this week. Today's edition of SpaceWeather.com features a movie of the sunspot erupting. It's a must-see.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)