Noctilucent Clouds seen from Shetland

25th July 2007

Noctilucent clouds over Tingwall and Lerwick between 1 and 2 AM on 25 July 2007. Sightings of these clouds are confined to summer and may be anticipated perhaps 3 or 4 times in an average year - ordinary cloud cover or bright moonlight prevents more frequent sightings and, in Shetland the nights may not be dark enough during the simmer dim. Sightings as brilliant as were visible on the 25th are very rare and these were a truly beautiful sight for anyone fortunate to see them. "Noctilucent" means "luminous at night" and they are only visible when lit from below after sunset, with the ground and lower atmosphere in darkness.

Noctilucent Cloud over Tingwall 800x536 2007-6178a_y.jpg 2007-07-25 00:44:38	Noctilucent Cloud over Tingwall 800x536 2007-6180a_y.jpg 2007-07-25 00:46:04	Noctilucent Cloud over Tingwall 800x536 2007-6185a_y.jpg 2007-07-25 00:55:51	Noctilucent Cloud over Clickimin Broch, Lerwick 800x536 2007-6190a_y.jpg 2007-07-25 01:28:10
Noctilucent Cloud over Clickimin Broch, Lerwick 800x536 2007-6195a_y.jpg 2007-07-25 01:34:10