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Citizen science cloud-watching project needs your photos of night-shining clouds

Space cloud watch needs your photos of night-shining clouds
Noctilucent clouds observed from Bozeman, MT on 16 July 2009 at 4:29 MDT. The Space Cloud Watch project needs more photos like this one to diagnose changes in our atmosphere. Credit: Dr. Joseph A Shaw

Noctilucent or night-shining clouds are rare, high-altitude clouds that glow with a blue, silvery hue at dusk or dawn when the sun shines on them from below the horizon. These ice clouds typically occur near the North and South Poles, but are increasingly being reported at mid- and low latitudes. Observing them helps scientists better understand how human activities may affect our atmosphere.

Now, the Space Cloud Watch project is asking you to report your own observations of and upload your own photographs. Both recent photographs and photographs taken in the past are welcome and useful. Combined with and model simulations, your data can help us figure out why these noctilucent clouds are more frequently appearing at mid-low latitudes.

"I find these clouds fascinating and can't wait to see the amazing pictures," said project lead Dr. Chihoko Cullens from the University of Colorado, Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Âé¶¹ÒùÔºics.

Did you see or photograph any night-shining clouds? . Later, the science team will transfer them to a site on the Zooniverse platform where you or other volunteers can help examine them and identify wave structures in the cloud images.

If you love clouds, NASA has more for you. Try , or .

More information:

Provided by NASA

Citation: Citizen science cloud-watching project needs your photos of night-shining clouds (2025, May 16) retrieved 21 July 2025 from /news/2025-05-citizen-science-cloud-photos-night.html
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