EarthScience Wire

Europe got a fabulous display of noctilucent clouds on July 3

Posted by
Deborah Byrd
and
July 3, 2014
Hubert Drozdz caught the July 3, 2014 display of noctilucent clouds in Poland.
EarthSky Facebook friend Hubert Drozdz caught the display of noctilucent clouds in Poland. He said he saw them around 2 to 3 a.m. on July 4, 2014.

During the past two nights (July 2 and 3, 2014), skywatchers at northerly latitudes in Europe have reported seeing a wonderful displays of electric-blue noctilucent clouds, sometimes called night-shining clouds. The display last night was said to be especially good. These clouds are made of ice crystals that form on fine dust particles left behind by meteors. They are seen only at high latitudes in either the N. or S. Hemisphere. This is the time of year to see them! Thanks for all who posted to EarthSky Facebook.

Spaceweather.com said:

The display on July 3rd appears to be the best of the year so far, and would seem to herald even more widespread sightings in the nights ahead, not only in Europe but also in North America.

Sightings on the night of July 3 came from Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Scotland, Ireland, England and Belgium.

Another photo by Hubert Drozdz of the July 3 noctilucent clouds.
Another photo by Hubert Drozdz of the July 3-4 noctilucent clouds.

noctilucent-clouds-7-3-2014-David-Whinham-tweet

The July 3 display of noctilucent clouds as seen by Danny Spring in Berwick Upon Tweed in England.
The July 3 display of noctilucent clouds as seen by Danny Spring in Berwick Upon Tweed in England.

noctilucent-clouds-7-3-2014-Heiko-Ulbricht

Read more: The secrets of night-shining clouds

Bottom line: Europe had a wonderful display of noctilucent clouds on July 2 and 3, 2014. The photos here are mostly from EarthSky friends on Facebook and Twitter.

BlueskyThreadsBuffer
Posted 
July 3, 2014
 in 
Earth

Deborah Byrd

View Articles
About the Author:
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.

Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from 

Deborah Byrd

View All
Here’s how to see the Lunar X and V at 1st-quarter moon
April 23, 2026
Summer solstice in Mars’ southern hemisphere is April 25
April 22, 2026
Happy Earth Day! Why do we celebrate it on April 22?
April 22, 2026
Universe’s expansion rate: ‘Something doesn’t add up’
April 12, 2026