Noctilucent Clouds

 

"The weather at the Jodrell Plank Observatory has taken a turn for the better and Kurt and  the Plank Team have been beavering away in the sunshine preparing the kit for capturing Thursday's partial solar eclipse. After sunset and during astronomical twilight we witnessed a minor display of noctilucent clouds. During summer months noctilucent or night shining clouds may be seen after the sun sets and the sky darkens. they form high in the mesosphere between 76 and 85 kilometers above the earth. They require water vapour, dust and very cold temperatures in order for them to form. Because the temperatures at altitude are so low, the water vapour aided and abetted by the dust particles becomes tiny ice crystals at such high altitudes that they are illuminated by the sun below the horizon. Seen against the darker sky the clouds appear to shine. Increases in both natural and man made atmospheric pollution aid the creation of noctilucent clouds" - Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

"Lets hope the weather stays fine for the partial solar eclipse. Don't forget to take a look at the sun at a about 11.00am on the10th June but always take care to protect your eyesight from the very real danger of harm. Never look at the sun, even briefly, without the use of an appropriate ISO rated solar filter and in no circumstances use a telescope or binoculars to view the sun.  A safe indirect method of viewing the eclipse is to use two pieces of card. Make a pinhole in one piece and hold it in front of the other piece,  The card with the hole in it is positioned sun-side of the other piece and moved to project an image of the sun on to the piece of card in shadow. The eclipse will show clearly along with any sunspots that are on display. Best of all this method does not require any direct viewing of the Sun and is therefore completely safe". Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory