Noctilucent clouds have been spotted in Cumbria’s skies.
The electric blue and silvery cloud formations are considered extremely rare by meteorologists.
Noctilucent clouds – which means ‘night-shining’ in Latin – occasionally appear in late clear summer evenings after sunset, but before it gets completely dark.
They are made up of collections of ice crystals and form higher up than any other clouds, which allows them to shine and reflect sunlight until after dark.
Some lucky viewers managed to snag pictures of the clouds last night, over West Cumbria, at around 12.30am.
David Wright and his wife Claireanne spotted the clouds from their home in Whitehaven.
Claireanne said the pair were shocked at how the clouds lit up the sky and that her husband only took the photograph so they could show their son in the morning.
Noctilucent clouds can only be seen at latitudes between 45°N and 80°N in the Northern Hemisphere, and equivalent latitudes in the southern hemisphere.
Like all clouds, they require water vapour, dust, and very low temperatures to form.
The dust in the clouds is thought to come from tiny meteors from space – but volcano dust and man-made pollutants also add to them.
Several parts of Europe and the UK have been treated to spectacular displays of noctilucent clouds over the past few days.
Did you spot the noctilucent clouds? We’d love to see your pictures. Send them to us at [email protected].
