JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Early risers on the First Coast were treated to a rare and stunning sight this morning: noctilucent clouds glowing against the pre-dawn sky. The phenomenon followed a Falcon 9 rocket launch, which occurred at 5:13 a.m.
The First Coast News Weather Team had anticipated the possibility of noctilucent clouds, noting that conditions during and after the launch were ideal for their formation. The result did not disappoint, with viewers sharing breathtaking images of the luminous streaks captured over the region.
What Are Noctilucent Clouds?
Noctilucent clouds, also known as "night-shining clouds," form at exceptionally high altitudes—around 250,000 feet in the mesosphere. This places them far above typical weather clouds, such as cirrus clouds, which max out at about 40,000 feet in the troposphere.
Following a rocket launch, water vapor in the exhaust plume ascends into the mesosphere, where temperatures can plunge to minus 150°F. In these extreme conditions, the water vapor freezes into tiny ice crystals. Upper-atmosphere winds stretch and scatter the ice particles, creating intricate patterns.
The timing is important: before sunrise, the sun remains below the horizon for ground observers but shines on these high-altitude ice crystals. This causes the clouds to glow with an ethereal light, producing the visual effect witnessed this morning.
A Rare but Beautiful Phenomenon
While noctilucent clouds are rare, they are not unheard of along the First Coast, especially following early morning rocket launches. The combination of clear skies, high-altitude winds, and precise lighting conditions creates the prime conditions to witness these clouds.
Share Your Photos!
If you caught this morning’s display—or if you’ve seen other weather phenomena—First Coast News would love to feature your images. Join the First Coast News Weather Watchers group on Facebook to share your photos.
