October 28, 2007
Every candle on your cake is a tiny imitation of the stars that made you possible.
Noctilucent Clouds Over Sweden
Birthday · October 28, 2007
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APOD published October 28, 2007. Credit: P-M Hed�n. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
Sometimes it's night on the ground but day in the air. As the Earth rotates to eclipse the Sun, sunset rises up from the ground. Therefore, at sunset on the ground, sunlight still shines on clouds above. Under usual circumstances, a pretty sunset might be visible, but unusual noctilucent clouds float so high up they can be seen well after dark. Pictured above last month, a network of noctilucent clouds cast a colorful but eerie glow after dusk near Vallentuna, Sweden. Although noctilucent clouds are thought to be composed of small ice-coated particles, much remains unknown about them. Satellites launched to help study these clouds includes Sweden's Odin and NASA's AIM. Recent evidence indicates that at least some noctilucent clouds result from freezing water exhaust from Space Shuttles.
Image credit: P-M Hed�n