Amazing Phenomena in the UK

NASA has released amazing video of two rare events that happened in Scotland earlier this month.  "Noctilucent clouds" were visible throughout the night, and shortly after you can see the Aurora Borealis.  Noctilucent clouds are clouds that form in the highest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, called the mesosphere.  They are composed of tiny crystals of water ice and mostly occur in the summertime, which is when the mesosphere is at its coldest. The clouds sometimes form from dust particles, whether it be from a volcano or small meteors passing through the atmosphere.

While we get a little glimpse of the Aurora Borealis here in the Quad Cities from time to time, we are just a little too far south to witness noctilucent clouds.  They generally occur in the northern most latitudes.

To see the amazing video, CLICK HERE.  To have these clouds and the northern lights at the same time is quite a treat to the eye!