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Unmanned Spaceflight.com _ Chit Chat _ NLC Season 2012 begins

Posted by: Stu May 27 2012, 12:30 PM

Early this morning the first noctilucent clouds - or "NLC" - of the 2012 observing season (which runs roughly from early June to mid-August) were spotted, a little earlier than expected. Just a weak display, nothing jaw-dropping, but it fired the starter pistol for NLC-observers to prepare for bigger, better displays in the following weeks.

You can read more here: http://cumbriansky.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/the-2012-noctilucent-cloud-season-has-begun

There's a special section on my blog about what NLC are, and what they look like. Just look for the "NLC" tab top right.

I encourage all UMSF members to try and see some displays this year. Even though it means losing some serious sleep, it's worth it, honestly, just to see the northern sky burning with a force field-like splash of these icy blue-white clouds.

Posted by: jasedm May 27 2012, 03:20 PM

Your enthusiasm for all things celestial is inspiring and infectious Stu - I shall indeed make time to wander outside and go to the top of our local hill NLC-spotting next time my daughter wakes at 2.30am complaining of crocodile infestations under her bed...

(Edited for appalling grammar)

Posted by: Stu Jun 20 2012, 01:12 PM

FINALLY a half-decent display of NLC visible from Kendal! It's been a dreadful June for weather, cloud almost every night, but last night was totally clear, and a small but pretty display of NLC wafted over the NE horizon around 02.00BST...

Enhanced until it begged for mercy, to show detail too faint and subtle for the sleep-deprived naked eye to see...

Posted by: Stu Jun 25 2012, 03:53 PM

Anyone else see the big display this morning? My view was ruined by cloud...

Full report here: http://cumbriansky.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/nlc-watching-from-kendal-the-agony-of-cumbrian-amateur-astronomy/

Posted by: nprev Jun 25 2012, 11:14 PM

Never thought I'd suffer from high-latitude envy after leaving Alaska...but your NLC shots definitely stimulate it, Stu! Beautiful!

Posted by: Stu Jun 26 2012, 08:23 AM

Another weak-but-pretty display seen from Kendal around 01.30BST today...

Posted by: climber Jul 3 2012, 09:34 AM

See this view of NLC's from the ISS: http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/662919main_ISS031-E-116058_lrg_full.jpg