Cloud Atlas
Noctilucent clouds (NLC)
Night-shining clouds high in the atmosphere that glow after sunset at high latitudes.
How to spot it
- Electric-blue/silver wisps after sunset or before sunrise
- Very high altitude (mesosphere, far above normal clouds)
- Most common in summer at high latitudes
What it can mean
- A rare visual phenomenon rather than a near-surface weather signal
- They reflect sunlight when the lower atmosphere is already dark
- Great candidate for ‘sky alerts’ features
Photography tips
- Use a tripod if light is low
- Try longer exposures to capture structure
- Include a dark horizon silhouette for scale