Stunning Noctilucent Clouds Illuminate the Night Sky over Budapest

Last night, residents of Budapest were treated to a breathtaking display of noctilucent clouds, the most spectacular of the season. These luminous clouds blanketed nearly the entire sky, dancing above the city in an awe-inspiring performance.

Noctilucent clouds, also known as polar mesospheric clouds, are a rare optical phenomenon that occurs in the upper atmosphere during deep twilight. They form at an altitude of approximately 80-90 km, significantly higher than the clouds that influence our daily weather.

These shimmering clouds are composed of frozen water vapor that has condensed onto cosmic dust particles and micrometeorites. The sun’s white light reflects off these tiny ice crystals, which then takes on a bluish hue as it passes through the stratosphere.

In Hungary, noctilucent clouds can typically be observed from early June to early August, about an hour and a half to two hours after sunset or before sunrise. Last night’s display was particularly remarkable, as the clouds covered not only the eastern horizon but extended to an estimated 40-45 degrees in the sky.

While the exact formation and behavior of noctilucent clouds are not yet fully understood, they continue to captivate observers with their ethereal beauty. These clouds are visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres between 50° and 70° latitudes during the summer months when the sun is between 6 and 16 degrees below the horizon.

As the people of Budapest gazed up at the mesmerizing display, they were reminded of the wonders that nature can present, even in the darkest hours of the night. The noctilucent clouds served as a stunning backdrop, transforming the city’s skyline into a scene straight out of a dream.

Image source: https://www.idokep.hu/