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Noctilucent clouds (sometimes referred to by the acronym - NLC) are very high cloud formations consisting (so far as we know) of small ice particles. They occur in the mesosphere - at altitudes of around 75 to 85 kilometers (47 to 53 miles) and are thus quite set apart from all other types of clouds (e.g. a mighty thunderhead is still only 10-20km high).

These strange, remote clouds are a relatively "new" thing. They were first observed as recently as 1885 - not long after the explosive, catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa. In recent years, they seem to be getting observed more frequently - or maybe more people have started looking for them! This has certainly been the case this year - unfortunately the second cool, cloudy and damp summer in a row has thwarted many an observing session.

So what do you look for, and where? Well, firstly the key time to observe them is during the mid-May to mid-August period. At this time of year, it never gets truly dark in the northern sky but instead there is a deep twilight between sunset and sunrise. At this time, these normally invisible clouds become illuminated by the sun which remains over the horizon. Thus, the northern sky is the place to look, so you need somewhere with a good view of the northern horizon.

The UK is at a good latitude for observing noctilucent clouds. Too far south and the twilight isn't visible; too far north and you have the Midnight Sun to contend with. Here, just nicely in the middle, is ideal. And the results can be spectacular at times, with the best displays rendering the sky a shimmering electric blue and the light generated casting slight shadows!

Nobody has written anything on how to forecast a noctilucent display putting in an appearance. They can be present three nights in a row and then the fourth night draws a blank. In short you never know when they'll appear. You therefore need a certain amount of patience to successfully observe them - plus the willingness to give up on part of your night's sleep. This I did on the night of July 3-4.

At about 10pm I headed down to Borth on the coast. I had reasoned that rather than sit twiddling my thumbs I might as well be doing something that I could abandon quickly if a display started up so I grabbed the fishing rods and headed for the beach.

Several fish later and things were not looking good. A persistent long bank of cloud lay along the northern horizon, obscuring the view of anything more interesting going on aloft. Its top wasn't too high though - I estimated maybe 650m - so the thought occurred to me that a gain in height might give me a better chance. Packing in at about 2.30am, I drove back to Machynlleth, noting the occasional bluish-white glimmer in breaks in the cloudbank. This seemed encouraging and I headed off up the mountain road between Machynlleth and Llanidloes, which goes up to a respectable 520m above sea-level, and I finally had my reward for a lost night's sleep:

A delicate tracery of white and electric-blue filaments hung in the north-eastern sky with the colours of the coming dawn below. Just a few tatters of cloud obscured things at times.
Tripod and telephoto lens came out. The beanbag I use for a tripod was placed on a handy straining-post, the camera was set to shoot by aperture-priority at f11 and it was game on! To the north, the cloudbank that had hindered me at Borth could not quite hide these beautiful delicate forms.... what a sight this would have been had it been clear, with the Arans and Cadair Idris in silhouette. That is a view on my "must see" list!!
Telephoto. They take on all sorts of forms.
Another of the view NE.
Dawn was now well on its way and the light levels steadily built up after I took this shot. Typically the last few took 30 seconds or so per shot. Hence it's better if there are either no clouds or the clouds are stationary (a rare thing!)..... The wet road surface now reflecting the lightening sky - yet the clouds were still going strong! And the final shot. As it grew lighter they became faint and slowly faded away from view. The cloudbank then put in a show of its own by generating some Kelvin-Helmholtz wave-clouds - these are quite unusual too! Below, the valley slept, apart from a few farms where there were lights on. I turned and headed back down there, with the thought of some strong coffee a pleasant notion! I had seen these clouds in previous years, but this was the best display so far and the first I had tried to photograph. Next clear night (if indeed there is one before mid-August!) I shall be out there somewhere hoping for a repeat performance! Try it yourself - they are a rare and beautiful sight - whatever they are.....
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