Polar Mesospheric Clouds Captured From International Space Station

Posted on June 26, 2012

These polar mesospheric clouds were captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). These types of clouds typically appear as shining threads against the darkness of space. NASA says the clouds are illuminated by the Sun when it is just below the visible horizon, giving them their night-shining properties. The clouds are sometimes referred to as "noctilucent" or "night-shining" clouds. The image above was taken from the ISS as it passed over the Tibetan Plateau. You can see a larger version here.

Here is a video of the shiny clouds captured by crew on the ISS on June 5, 2012 from 18:26:38 to 18:31:04 GMT, on a pass from western Iraq to western Uzbekistan. Take a look:

SPACE