Now visible at 1955Z between WSW and NW, these are
considerably higher than the other 'normal' Ci fibratus clouds
I can see nearby at about 30000ft. These fine wavy clouds
look to be at least 40000ft and taking on noctilucent
characteristics, except it is far too early and too low an
altitude (and in the wrong direction) for such clouds.
There is still over an hour left before sunset.
Elevation of there strands are well above 45 degrees.

Anyone care to look outside right now and comment?

Nigel (Romsey, Hampshire)

On 4 July, 20:59, "Nigel Paice" wrote:
Now visible at 1955Z between WSW and NW, these are
considerably higher than the other 'normal' Ci fibratus clouds
I can see nearby at about 30000ft. *These fine wavy clouds
look to be at least 40000ft and taking on noctilucent
characteristics, except it is far too early and too low an
altitude (and in the wrong direction) for such clouds.
There is still over an hour left before sunset.
Elevation of there strands are well above 45 degrees.

Anyone care to look outside right now and comment?

Nigel *(Romsey, Hampshire)

Yes, I noticed from here (cent S Berkshire) this evening and also
yesterday evening - and I see from Bernard Burton's obs in Wokingham
(and others in S England) there was NLC observed later yesterday
evening. I'll be checking the northern sky carefully over the next 30
minutes. I did wonder if the 'cirrus shield' effect - which from here
lasted only a few minutes in twilight sky - might be a precursor to
NLC, although I've not heard that reported previously, and the
mechanism/height differences would make this difficult to reconcile.
It certainly looked nothing like the 'ordinary' Ci spi thet was around
all evening, and was lit up well after those had darkened.

--
Stephen Burt
Stratfield Mortimer, Berkshire

Now visible at 1955Z between WSW and NW, these are
considerably higher than the other 'normal' Ci fibratus clouds
I can see nearby at about 30000ft.
Volcanic, apparently:

http://www.spaceweather.com/

"Darren Prescott" wrote in message
o.uk...
Now visible at 1955Z between WSW and NW, these are
considerably higher than the other 'normal' Ci fibratus clouds
I can see nearby at about 30000ft.
Volcanic, apparently:

http://www.spaceweather.com/


.... seen from here last night about time of original posting
(4th/sorry, couldn't post details then): have been looking out for
same since seeing the warning on the site that Darren noted, but this
is the first time that conditions have been right for us. The rising
(near) full moon tended to swamp the sky and confuse things after that
time.

Martin.


--
Martin Rowley
West Moors, East Dorset (UK): 17m (56ft) amsl
Lat: 50.82N Long: 01.88W
NGR: SU 082 023

"Nigel Paice" wrote :

Now visible at 1955Z between WSW and NW, these are
considerably higher than the other 'normal' Ci fibratus clouds
I can see nearby at about 30000ft. These fine wavy clouds
look to be at least 40000ft and taking on noctilucent
characteristics, except it is far too early and too low an
altitude (and in the wrong direction) for such clouds.
There is still over an hour left before sunset.
Elevation of there strands are well above 45 degrees.

Anyone care to look outside right now and comment?

Yes, seen from south Beds too ... and I agree with
the way you described "...taking on noctilucent
characteristics" though those characteristics disappeared
within 20 mins of the sun setting. Noted my first ever
paraselene last night too (though may be an
indication of my not looking out for such things than
their actual rarity).

Philip

On 5 July, 10:47, "Philip Eden" philipATweatherHYPHENukDOTcom wrote:
"Nigel Paice" wrote :

Now visible at 1955Z between WSW and NW, these are
considerably higher than the other 'normal' Ci fibratus clouds
I can see nearby at about 30000ft. *These fine wavy clouds
look to be at least 40000ft and taking on noctilucent
characteristics, except it is far too early and too low an
altitude (and in the wrong direction) for such clouds.
There is still over an hour left before sunset.
Elevation of there strands are well above 45 degrees.

Anyone care to look outside right now and comment?

Yes, seen from south Beds too ... and I agree with
the way you described "...taking on noctilucent
characteristics" though those characteristics disappeared
within 20 mins of the sun setting. Noted my first ever
paraselene last night too (though may be an
indication of my not looking out for such things than
their actual rarity).

Philip

Seen them for several nights now, was coming home about midnight
Friday night and could see them, shame I didn't stop and photograph
them I could have added them to my new gallery
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/nickw7...ogsPillarsRays which I'll
try to update when I get more...

Nick

"Darren Prescott" wrote in message
o.uk...
Now visible at 1955Z between WSW and NW, these are
considerably higher than the other 'normal' Ci fibratus clouds
I can see nearby at about 30000ft.
Volcanic, apparently:

http://www.spaceweather.com/

Thanks, Darren for bringing this website to my attention, now
added to my favourites.

Clouds of volcanic origin... something that should have dawned
on me as a possible explanation because I do recall observing
skies of this ilk on the odd occasion in the past. The streamers
and waves I saw yesterday, closely match those shown in the
last photograph (taken by Rob Bullen in the Forest of Dean) of
the 2009 Sarychev Sunset Gallery on the 'spaceweather' site.

Thank you also, Stephen, Martin, Philip and 'BatMan' Nick,
for your observations.

Took a squint outside just now (2000Z) and they've reappeared.
Although less distinct than at this time yesterday evening, ripples
are now visible within the striations.

Nigel