Polar Mesospheric Clouds Photographed by ISS Astronauts

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Eerie polar mesospheric clouds have been captured by the astronauts on board the International Space Station.

Viewed from the ground, the ‘ragged edges’ of this cloud layer are known as noctilucent clouds – which means ‘night shining’ clouds.

polar mesospheric cloud, polar mesospheric clouds, polar mesospheric cloud photo, polar mesospheric clouds image, polar mesospheric clouds from iss, These polar mesospheric clouds were photographed from ISS. When viewed from earth surface they are called  noctilucent clouds
These polar mesospheric clouds were photographed from ISS. When viewed from earth surface they are called noctilucent clouds

As their name imply, these glowing clouds form over the planet’s north and south poles, at mesospheric heights (80 to 100 kilometres above the ground). The thin, wispy layer of ice crystals that they’re composed of is virtually invisible during the day, when the sunlight is shining down through it. However, as the Sun is setting, and the rays of light from it strike this layer of ice crystals edge-on, the effect is quite spectacular.

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