New Delhi, February 22: The world of science is filled with countless mysteries that spark curiosity and often astonish us. One such intriguing phenomenon is the noctilucent cloud, also known as the “night-shining cloud.” These clouds are distinctly different from regular clouds, as they appear to glow even in the darkness of night. NASA, the American space agency, provides extensive information about them.
Noctilucent clouds form in the upper atmosphere from tiny ice crystals and reflect sunlight, creating a glow even after sunset. This unique and mysterious occurrence happens in the highest layer of Earth’s atmosphere. Unlike typical clouds, they form at altitudes of about 50 to 86 kilometers (30 to 54 miles) in the mesosphere, far above the Earth’s surface. The name “noctilucent” comes from the Latin word meaning “to shine at night.”
According to NASA, these clouds are composed of very small ice crystals or water vapor. These crystals reflect sunlight, which is why they remain visible after the sun has set. During the day, they are nearly invisible, but in the evening, when the lower atmosphere is dark while the upper layer still receives sunlight, they appear in shimmering shades of blue and silver. They are primarily observed during the summer months in high-latitude regions near the northern and southern poles.
For a long time, these clouds have puzzled scientists. NASA’s Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) mission began its first study of them in 2007. AIM was the world’s first satellite specifically designed to study these clouds. On June 11, 2007, AIM captured the first complete view of these clouds in the northern hemisphere, with a resolution of about 5 kilometers.
Initial observations from AIM revealed that these clouds are visible daily, spread over vast areas, and change from hour to hour or day to day. Their brightness varies on a scale of 3 kilometers. Scientists were surprised to discover that a single, continuous layer of ice in the mesosphere extends from 82 to 89 kilometers above the Earth.
By the end of 2007, AIM had recorded the entire life cycle of these clouds in the northern hemisphere, which typically begins around May 25 and lasts until the end of August. Over the past two decades, these clouds have become increasingly luminous and have even been observed at lower latitudes.
Recent studies have also indicated that rising methane emissions contribute to additional water vapor in the mesosphere, which strengthens these clouds.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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