Explanation: Sometimes it's night on the ground but day in the air. As the Earth rotates to eclipse the Sun, sunset rises up from the ground. Therefore, at sunset on the ground, sunlight still shines on clouds above. Under usual circumstances, a pretty sunset might be visible, but unusual noctilucent clouds float so high up they can be seen well after dark. Pictured above, a network of noctilucent clouds casts a colorful but eerie glow visible above the dark. Although noctilucent clouds are thought to be composed of small ice-coated particles, much remains unknown about them.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Earth - atmosphere - clouds - noctilucent clouds - sunset
Publications with words: Earth - atmosphere - clouds - noctilucent clouds - sunset
See also:
- APOD: 2024 May 13 Á AR 3664 on a Setting Sun
- APOD: 2023 September 27 Á STEVE and Milky Way Cross over Rural Road
- APOD: 2023 August 20 Á A Roll Cloud Over Wisconsin
- Planet Earth at Night II
- Apollo 17: The Crescent Earth
- APOD: 2023 February 12 Á Mammatus Clouds over Nebraska
- Nacreous Clouds over Lapland