Luminous night clouds illuminate the northwest: a heavenly spectacle!
Luminous night clouds illuminate the northwest: a heavenly spectacle!
On July 1, 2025, a rare sky phenomenon ensures a breath of fresh air among the hobby astronomers in the Seehausen and Lilienthal region. The last cool nights offer a welcome cooling down to the current heat wave and create ideal conditions for the sighting of bright night clouds that are loud Weser-Kurier can be observed these days. This special cloud formation is recorded by photographer Kai-Oliver Detken.
Luminating night clouds mainly appear from June to July and can be found at high altitudes between 81 and 87 kilometers, while conventional clouds extend to a maximum of 15 kilometers. The temperatures at these heights inspire with extreme minus degrees of below minus 150 ° C. These cold enables the formation of ice crystals of dust particles that reflect sunlight and create an impressive lighting. Interestingly, the night clouds are also visible when the sun has already disappeared behind the horizon. Nevertheless, their light remains visible from the setting sun.Special features of the bright night clouds
shining night clouds, also known as NLC (still used as a “nocent cloud”), are fascinating accumulation of ice crystals in mesopause, an area of the atmosphere above the mesosphere. Wikipedia describes the specific times in Central Europe, which usually fall between early June and end of July, especially after sunset (between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. CEST) or in early twilight (between 3 and 4 a.m. CISZ). These clouds often appear in the northwest to the northeast of the sky.
The coloring of the NLC can vary from yellow to silvery-perlmet murder, depending on the position of the sun before it goes completely. These clouds are not to be confused with the polar stratosphere clouds that arise in higher locations. Observations and studies, as supported by the AIM, which started in 2007, have provided important insights into this phenomenon.
The cause of the night clouds
The creation of the shining night clouds is closely linked to meteorological phenomena in the mesosphere. According to Wikipedia, pressure and temperature differences are required that generate strong turbulence and currents to transport water vapor from the stratosphere to mesopause. There this water vapor condenses on the crystallization nuclei, which could consist of, among other things, made of meteor material. Historically, these clouds were first described in 1885, relatively shortly after the well-known Krakatau outbreak.
Detken announces that further observation options will arise by the end of July. He recommends looking north when looking for the fascinating night clouds. In addition, there is even the possibility that the northern lights will become visible during this time, which would further enrich the experience in the sky.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Ort | Seehausen, Deutschland |
| Quellen | |