Noctilucent Clouds from Northern Ireland

[paulevans]

Well since this is IceInSpace, here's a photograph of Ice crystals almost in Space! I thought you guys might like to see this as they're rather less common in the southern hemisphere, mostly, I think, because of the lack of land at the 55-60deg from the Equator that gives the best view! Anyway, this is a panoramic shot taken last night from Larne (54.9 deg N). Zoom in and pan across - it's just like being there :-)

http://www.pevans.me.uk/images/nlc07070905web.jpg

Taken with a Minolta Dynax 5D, 50mm f1.7 lens - 5 secs @ f2.8 ISO 200, merged withy Serif Panorama Plus 2.

Enjoy!

Paul.

[middy]

Top of the morning to you Paul. That is a fantastic shot. I've noticed quite a few shots of notilucent clouds showing up on the Spaceweather website recently. Is it a particular time of the year kind of thing or can they occur at any time?

[paulevans]

Hi Andrew,

It's the time of year. Really from the end of May to the start of August - the Sun needs to be less than 12 deg below the horizon in the middle of the "night" so it never gets dark here during that part of the year.

It's a great spectacle and makes up for not being able to see any deep sky objects during those couple of months!

Paul.

[astroron]

Very nice picture Paul, as a Liverpudlian living downunder I sometimes miss the northern sky's. ( notice I said sometimes).

[iceman]

Stunning image Paul, I really love these NLC images. I wish we could see them down here. You guys get NLC's and aurora! I feel so ripped off.

[paulevans]

Hmmm, that one cuts both ways Mike! I'd gladly swap my NLCs and Auroras for your Milky Way, Magellanic Clouds and most especially 47 Tuc! And of course you recently got a much better view of Comet McNaught than we did.

Mind you, we do have a Pole Star to line up on :-)

Clear skies,

Paul.