Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Noctilucent clouds

  • Published:
Space Science Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Noctilucent clouds appear during the summertime at high latitudes near the top of the mesosphere. In this review, the observational facts about them, obtained from ground level, by rocket sounding and from orbiting spacecraft, are reviewed. The data are not sufficiently clear and unambiguous to permit dogmatic assertion about the origin and nature of the clouds. They seem to be ice particles nucleated at very low pressures and temperatures by either meteoric smoke or by atmospheric ions. Wavepatterns in the clouds may well result from quite close relations between the troposphere and the mesosphere. The very existence of the clouds leads to difficulties in explaining why there is so much water vapour at this great height in the atmosphere. To try to predict the microscopic behaviour of the cloud particles leads one into assessment of the relative importance of radiometer effects, radiation balance, Brownian movement, electric polarization and the influence of Coulomb attraction on the growth of large clustered ions. Finally, a list is given of published sources of observational data.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

The following references each contain a number of papers, usually from the U.S.S.R., dealing with noctilucent clouds:

  • MGG Informachionii Bulletin, No. 7, Akad. Nauk SSR (Moscow), 1959.

  • Trudy Sovechanya po Serebristim Oblakam I (Tartu), 1959.

  • Meshdunarodnii Geofizichestii God, Leningradskova Universiteta, 1960.

  • Issledovaniya Serebristikh Oblakov, Leningradskova Universiteta, 1960.

  • Trudy Sovechanya po Serebristim Oblakam III (Tallinn), 1962.

  • Meteorologicheskiye Issledovaniya, No. 6, Akad. Nauk SSR (Moscow), 1963.

  • Meteorologicheskiye Issledovaniya, No. 12, Nauka (Moscow), 1966.

  • Nabludenya Serebristikh Oblakov, Nauka (Moscow), 1967.

  • Khvostikov, I. A. and Witt, G.: Serebristiya Oblaka — Noctilucent Clouds, Viniti (Moscow), 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fizika Mezosphemikh (Serebristikh) Oblakov, Zinatnye (Riga), 1970; translation to English from Israel Program for Scientific Translation (Jerusalem), 1973.

  • Noctilucent Clouds — Optical Properties (Tallinn), 1973.

  • Meteorologicheskiye Issledovaniya, No. 22, Nauka (Moscow), 1975.

  • Materiali Issledovaniya Mezosferikh Oblakov (Supplement to No. 22, above) Viniti (Moscow), 1975.

  • Opticheskiye Issledovaniya Izducheniya Atmosferi, Polyanikh Siyanii i Serebristikh Oblakov s Borta Orbital'noi Nauchnoi Stanchii ‘Salyut-4’, Akad. Nauk SSR (Tartu), 1977.

  • Issledovaniya Atmosferno-Optichestikh Yavlenii c Borta Orbital'noi Nauchnoi Stanchii ‘Salyut-4’, Akad. Nauk SSR (Tartu), 1979.

  • Atmosferno-Opticheskiye Yavleniya po Nabludeniyam c Orbitalinikh Nauchnikh Stanchii ‘Salyut’, Akad. Nauk. SSR (Tartu) 1981.

References in the text:

  • Anderson, J. G. and Donahue, T. M.: 1975, J. Atmosph. Terr. Phys. 37, 865.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anon.: 1885, Symon's Monthly Met. Mag. 20, 96.

  • Arnold, F. and Joos, W.: 1979, Geophys. Res. Lett. 6, 763.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, F. and Krankowsky, D.: 1977, Nature 268, 218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asano, S. and Yamamoto, G.: 1975, Appl. Optics 14, 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Astapovich, I. S.: 1961, Trudy VI soveschaniya po serebristym oblakam (Riga), pp. 49–92.

  • Avakyan, E, V., Avaste, O. A., Willmann, Ch. I., Germashevsky, M., Ivanchenkov, A. S., Klimuk, P. I., Kovalyonok, V. V., and Lazarev, A. I.: 1981, Atmosf.-Optich. Yablen. Nabluch. Orbit. Nauch. Stanchii ‘Salyut’, pp. 52–57, (Tartu).

  • Avaste, O. A., Alekseyev, A. M., Veismann, U. K., Willmann, Ch. I., Klimuk, P. I., Koksharov, I. I., Lazarev, A. I., Sevastyanov, V. I., Sergeyevich, V. N., Fedorova, E. O., and Eerme, K. A.: 1977, Opt.Issled. Izpuch. Atmosf. Pol. Siyanii i Serebr. Oblakov Borta Orbit. Nauch. Stanch. ‘Salyut-4’, pp. 67–78, (Tartu).

  • Avaste, O. A., Fedynsky, A. V., Grechko, G. M., Sevastyanov, V. I., and Willmann, Ch. I.: 1980, Pageophys. 118, 528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avaste, O. A., Willmann, Ch. I., Grechko, G. M., and Romanenko, Yu. V.: 1981, Atmosf.-Optich. Yablen. Nabluch. Orbit. Nauch. Stanchii ‘Salyut’, pp. 139–146, (Tartu).

  • Backhouse, T. W.: 1885, Symons's Monthly Met. Mag. 20, 133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backhouse, T. W.: 1886, Nature 34, 386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baibulatov, F. Kh. and Ivaniya, S. P.: 1976, Izv. Atmosf. Okean, Fiz. 12, 523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baibulatov, F. Kh. and Ivaniya, S. P.: 1977, Izv. Atmosf. Okean. Fiz. 13, 1212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandermann, L. W. and Kemp, J. C.: 1973, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 162, 367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barber, P. and Yeh, C.: 1975, Appl. Opt. 14, 2864.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Bary, E. and Rossler, F.: 1974, Beitr. Phys. Atmosph. 47, 261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belyaev, B. I., Grechko, G. M., Gubarev, A. A., Kiselvsky, L. I., Klimuk, P. I., Koksharov, I. I., Lovchikova, L. P., Plyuta, V. E., Sevatyanov, V. I., Bergeyevich, N. V., and Yanovsky, A. F.: 1979a, Issled. Atmosf. Optich. Yavch. Borta Orbit. Nauch. Stanch. ‘Salyut-4’, pp. 167–182, (Tartu).

  • Belyaev, B. I., Kiselevsky, L. I., Klimuk, P. I., Koksharov, I. I., Lovchikova, L. P., Plyuta, V. E., Sevastyanov, V. I., and Sergeyevich, V. N.: 1979b, J. Appl. Spectroscopy 30, 471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belyaev, B. I., Willmann, Ch. I., Kiselevsky, L. I., Klimuk, P. I., Lovchikova, L. P., Plyuta, V. I., Sevastyanov, V. I., and Yanovsky, A. F.: 1981, Atmosf.-Optich. Yablen. Nabluch. Orbit. Nauch. Stanchii ‘Salyut’, pp.58–69, (Tartu).

  • Benech, B. and Dessens, J.: 1974, J. Geophys. Res. 79, 1299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronshten, V. A.: 1970, in J. Ikaunieks (ed.), Fiz. Mezo. (Serebr.) Oblakov, pp. 61–68, Riga.

  • Bronshten, V. A. and Grishin, N. I.: 1970, in I. A. Khvostikov (ed.), Serebristye oblaka, Izdatel'stvo ‘Nauka’ (Moscow); English translation by H. Olaru and D. Lederman: 1976, Noctilucent Clouds, Keterpress (Jerusalem).

    Google Scholar 

  • Burov, M. I.: 1959, Trudy Sov. Serebristii Oblakov 1 (Tartu), 92–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burov, M. I. 1966, Meteorolog. Issl. 12, 33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burov, M. I. 1967, Serebristie Oblaka (Moscow), pp. 200–207.

  • Byrne, F. D. 1964, typescript, undated, found in papers of James Paton.

  • Clarke, D. and Grainger, J. F.: 1971, Polarized Light and Optical Measurement, Pergamon (Oxford).

    Google Scholar 

  • COSPAR: 1965, CIRA 1965; COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere 1965, North-Holland Publishing (Amsterdam).

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie, B. W.: 1962, J. Roy. Astron. Soc. Canada 56, 141.

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Angelo, N. and Ungstrup, E.: 1976, J. Geophys. Res. 81, 1777.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deirmendjian, D. and Vestine. E. H.: 1959, Planet. Space Sci 1, 146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietze, G.: 1973, Gerland Beitr. Geophysik 82, 175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dirikis, M.: 1962, Trudy Sov. Serebristii Oblakov 3 (Tallin), pp. 164–168.

  • Dirikis, M. A., Evdokimenko, S. V., and Franzman, Yu. L.: 1966, Meteorolog. Issl. 12, 47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donahue, T. M. and Guenther, B.: 1973, J. Atmosph. Sci. 30, 515.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donahue, T. M., Guenther, B., and Blamont, J. E.: 1972, J. Atmosph. Sci. 29, 1205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Einstein, A.: 1906, Ann. Physik (Ser. 4) 19, 371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberg, D. and Kauzmann: 1969, The Structure and Properties of Water, Clarendon Press (Oxford).

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, P. S.: 1924, Phys. Rev. 23, 710.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farlow, N. H., Ferry, G. V., and Blanchard, M. B.: 1970, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 6736.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farlow, N. H. and Ferry, G. V.: 1972, Space Res. 12, 369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fast, N. P. and Fast, W. H.: 1981, personal letter dated 1st December 1981.

  • Ferry, G. V. and Farlow, N. H.: 1972, Space Res. 12, 381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fechtig, H. and Feuerstein, M.: 1970, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 6751.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fechtig, H., Feuerstein, M., and Rauser, P.: 1971, Space Res. 11, 335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiocco, G. and Grams, G.: 1969, J. Geophys. Res. 74, 2453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiocco, G. and Grams, G.: 1971, J. Atmosph. Terr. Phys. 33, 815.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiocco, G., Grams, G., and Visconti, G.: 1975, J. Atmosph. Terr. Phys. 37, 1327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fogle, B.: 1964, Geophys. Inst. Rep. UAG R-158, University of Alaska.

  • Fogle, B.: 1966a, Bull. Am. Met. Soc. 47, 781.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fogle, B.: 1966b, Geophys. Inst. Rep. UAG R-177, University of Alaska.

  • Fogle, B. and Haurwitz, B.: 1966, Space Sci. Rev. 6, 278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fogle, B. and Rees, M. H.: 1972, J. Geophys. Res. 77, 720.

    Google Scholar 

  • Francis, R. J., Bennett, J. M., and Seedsman, D. L.: 1966, Nature 211, 398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadsden, M.: 1975, Ann. Geophys. 31, 507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadsden, M.: 1977a, Ann. Geophys. 33, 357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadsden, M.: 1977b, Ann. Geophys. 33, 363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadsden, M.: 1978, J. Geophys. Res. 83, 1155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadsden, M.: 1981, Planet. Space Sci. 29, 1079.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadsden, M., Rothwell, P., and Taylor, M. J.: 1979, Nature 278, 628.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giauque, W. F. and Stout, J. W.: 1936, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 58, 1144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, R. A. and Witt, G.: 1977, J. Geophys. Res. 82, 2619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grahn, S. and Witt, G.: 1971, Report AP-4, Institute of Meteorology, University of Stockholm.

  • Grishin, N. I.: 1956, Byull. Astron. Geodez. Obsh. 19, 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grishin, N. I.: 1958, Byull. Vses. Astmn.-Geodez. Obsh. 21 (28), 52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grishin, N. L: 1960, Nekot. Prob. Meteorologii, No. 1, pp. 117–119.

  • Grishin, N. I.: 1967a, Nabluch. Serebr. Oblakov, pp. 5–34, Nauka (Moscow).

    Google Scholar 

  • Grishin, N. L: 1967b, Noctilucent Clouds Int. Symp. (Tallinn, 1966), pp. 193–199, Moscow.

  • Grishin, N. I.: 1969, Astron. Vestnik 3, 108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallgren, D. S., Hemenway, C. L., Mohnen, V. A., and Tackett, C. D.: 1973, Space Res. 13, 1099.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, R. A.: 1964, Met. Mag. 93, 201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, A. W.: 1973, Can. J. Phys. 51, 373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haurwitz, B.: 1964, Geophysical Institute Report UAG-R160, University of Alaska.

  • Haurwitz, B. and Fogle, B.: 1969, Deep Sea Res. suppl. 16, 85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemenway, C. L. and Hallgren, D. S.: 1970, Space Res. 10, 272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemenway, C. L., Fullam, E. F., Skrivanek, R. A., Soberman, R. K., and Witt, G.: 1964a, Tellus 16, 96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemenway, C. L., Soberman, R. K., and Witt, G.: 1964b, Tellus 16, 84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemenway, C. L., Hallgren, D. S., and Schmalberger, D. C.: 1972, Nature 238, 256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hines, C. O.: 1968, J. Atmosph. Sci. 25, 937.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, P. V.: 1974, Ice Physics, pp. 441, 462; Clarendon Press (Oxford).

    Google Scholar 

  • van de Hulst, H. C.: 1957, Light Scattering by Small Panicles, Chapman and Hall (London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, J. R.: 1975, Ionos. Res. Lab. Rep. PSU-IRL-IR-52 (Pennsylvania State University).

  • Hummel, J. R.: 1977, J. Geophys. Res. 82, 1893.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, J. R. and Olivero, J. J.: 1976, J. Geophys. Res. 81, 3177; and microfiche J76–005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunten, D. M., Turco, R. P., and Toon, O. B.: 1980, J. Atmosph. Sci. 37, 1342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Izakov, M. N., Kokin, G. A., and Perov, S. P.: 1967, Meteorol. i Gidrol. 12, 70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jesse, O.: 1889, Himmel Erde 1, 263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jesse, O.: 1896, Astron. Nacht. 140, 161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannessen, A. and Thrane, E. V.: 1974, Indian J. Radio Space Phys. 3, 128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerker, M.: 1969, The Scattering of Light and Other Electromagnetic Radiation, Academic Press (New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilfoyle, B. P.: 1968, Nature 218, 154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kropotkina, E. P. and Shefov, N. N.: 1975, Izv. Atmosf. Okean. Fiz. 11, 1184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latimer, P. and Barber, P.: 1978, J. Colloid Interface Sci. 63, 310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarev, A. I. and Leonov, A. A.: 1973, Opt. Tech. 40, 410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leslie, R. C.: 1885, Nature 32, 245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linscott, I., Hemenway, C. L., and Witt, G.: 1964, Tellus 16, 110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludlam, F. H.: 1957, Tellus 9, 340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meinel, A. B., Middlehurst, B. M., and Whitaker, E.: 1963, Science 141, 1176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivero, J. J. and Bevilacqua, R. M.: 1979, Space Res. 19, 165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivero, J. J., Gibbins, C. J., Bevilacqua, R. M., Swartz, P. R., and Thacker, D. L.: 1981, Int. Assoc. Geomag.Aeron. 4th Scientific Assembly, Edinburgh.

  • Orr, C. and Keng, E. Y. A.: 1964, J. Atmosph. Sci. 21, 475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Packer, D. M. and Packer, I. G.: 1977, Appl. Opt. 16, 983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paton, J.: 1949, Met. Mag. 78, 354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paton, J.: 1950, Proc. Phys. Soc. 63, 1039.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paton, J.: 1951, Nature 168, 487.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paton, J.: 1953, Proc. Met. Conf. (Toronto), pp. 31–33.

  • Paton, J.: 1964, Met. Mag. 93, 161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radford, H. E., Litvak, M. M., Gottleib, C. A., Gottleib, E. W., Rosenthal, S. K., and Lilley, A. E.: 1977, J. Geophys. Res. 82, 472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lord Rayleigh: 1881, Phil. Mag. (5th series) 12, 81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauser, P. and Fechtig, H.: 1972, Space Res. 12, 391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauser, P. and Fechtig, H.: 1973, Space Res. 13, 1127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, G. C.: 1975, J. Atmosph. Sci. 32, 523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, G. C.: 1977, Planet. Space Sci. 25, 275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossler, F.: 1972, Space Res. 12, 423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozenberg, G. V.: 1963, Sumerki, Nauka (Moscow); English translation by R. B. Rodman: 1966, Twilight: A Study in Atmospheric Optics, Plenum (New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, W. 1968, Gerlands. Beitr. Geophysik 77, 191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, W. 1969a, Gerlands. Beitr. Geophysik 79, 229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, W. 1969b, Meteorol. Rdsch. 22, 18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, W. 1970a, Gerlands Beitr. Geophysik 79, 223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, W. 1970b, Gerlands Beitr. Geophysik 79, 489.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, W. 1971, Gerlands Beitr. Geophysik 80, 65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, W. 1973, Wetter u. Leben 25, 166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, W. 1974, Meteorol. Rdsch. 27, 61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, A. F. D: 1974, Nature 247, 269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seshamani, R. 1977, Space Res. 17, 141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shefov, N. N.: 1967a, Proc. Int. Symp. Noct. Clouds (Tallinn, 1966), pp. 187–189, (Moscow).

  • Shefov, N. N.: 1967b, Pol. Siyan. Svech. Noch. Neba 13, 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shurcliff, W. A.: 1962, Polarized Light — Production and Use, Oxford University Press (London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, D. A. R.: 1982, in preparation for publication.

  • Smith, W. S., Theon, J. S., Swartz, P. C., Katchen, L. B., and Horvath, J. J.: 1967, Temperature, Pressure.Density and Wind Measurements in the Upper Stratosphere and Mesosphere, NASA TR R-263 (Washington).

  • Smyth, C. P.: 1886, Nature 34, 311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soberman, R. K., Chrest, S. A., Manning, J. J., Rey, L., Ryan, T. G., Skrivanek, R. A., and Wilhelm, N.: 1964, Tellus 16, 89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stormer, C.: 1933, Avhand, Del Norske Vid.-Akad. Oslo I. Mat.-Naturv. Kl. No. 2.

  • Stormer, C.: 1935a, Nature 135, 103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stormer, C.: 1935b, Astrophys. Norvegica 1, 87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarasova, T. M.: 1962, Trudy Sovech. Sereb. Oblakam, III, pp. 55–67, (Tallin).

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, M. J.: 1981, J. Phys. E: Sci. Instrum. 14, 865.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theon, J. S., Smith, W. S., and McGovern, W. E.: 1969, Science 164, 715.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tozer, W. F. and Beeson, D. E.: 1974, J. Geophys. Res. 79, 5607.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasilyev, O. B.: 1962, Trudy Sovech. Sereb. Oblakam, III, pp. 14–28 (Tallin).

  • Veselov, D. P., Popov, O. I., Semenova, V. I., Seleznev, G. I., and Fedorova, Ye. O.: 1976, Atmosf. Okean. Fiz. 12, 1097.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vestine, E. H.: 1934a, J. Roy. Astron. Soc. Canada 28, 249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vestine, E. H.: 1934b, J. Roy. Astron. Soc. Canada 28, 303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wait, J. R.: 1955, Canad. J. Phys. 33, 189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willmann, Ch. I.: 1962, Trudy Sovech. Sereb. Oblakam, III, pp. 29–54 (Tallin).

    Google Scholar 

  • Willmann, Ch. I., Klimuk, P. I., Koksharov, P. I., Sevastyanov, V. I., Sergeyevich, V. N., and Eerme, K. A.: 1977, Opt. Issled. Izpuch. Atmosf. Pol. Siyanii i Serebr. Oblakov Borta Orbit. Nauch. Stach. ‘Salyut-4’, pp.53–66 (Tartu).

  • Willmann, Ch. I., Grechko, G. M., Romanenko, Yu. V., Speransky, K. E., and Fedynsky, A. V.: 1981, Atmosf.-Optich. Yablen. Nabluch. Orbit. Nauch. Stanchii ‘Salyut’, pp. 46–51 (Tartu).

  • Witt, G.: 1960a, J. Geophys. Res. 65, 925.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, G.: 1960b, J. Geophys. Res. 65, 2199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, G.: 1962, Tellus 14, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, G.: 1968, Tellus 20, 98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, G.: 1969, Space Res. 9, 157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, G., Wilhelm, R, Stegman, J., Williams, A. P., Holback, B., Llewellyn, E., and Pedersen, A.: 1971, Rep. AP-7, Inst. Met., Stockholm University.

  • Witt, G., Dye, J. E., and Wilhelm, N.: 1976, J. Atmosph. Terr. Phys. 38, 223.

    Google Scholar 

The references below contain lists of observations for particular areas and are given to allow the reader to recall the papers from a library with efficiency: Western Europe:

Poland

  • Kosibowa, S. and Pyka, J. L.: 1973, Acta Geophys. Pol. 21, 169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosibowa, S., Speil, J., and Pyka, J. L.: 1975, Acta Geophys. Pol. 23, 91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosibowa, S., Speil, J., and Pyka, J. L.: 1976, Acta Geophys. Pol. 24, 181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosibowa, S., Pyka, J. L., and Speil, J.: 1978, Acta Geophys. Pol. 26, 63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosibowa, S. and Pyka, J. L.: 1980, Acta Geophys. Pol. 28, 77.

    Google Scholar 

Catalogue of observations, worldwide, 1885–1970:

  • Fast, N. N.: 1972, Katalog poyarlenii serebristikh oblakov po mirovim dannim, Tomskova Universiteta (Tomsk).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Philosophy Department, Aberdeen University, AB9 2UE, Aberdeen, Scotland

    M. Gadsden

Authors
  1. M. Gadsden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gadsden, M. Noctilucent clouds. Space Sci Rev 33, 279–334 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00196999

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00196999

Keywords

Search

Navigation