NASA Picture- Viens of Heaven- Ara Atayan

Ara Atayan                                                                                                                                    9/19/14

Earth Science                                                                                                                     Blogger Post 1

July 31, 2014- Island of Gotland, Sweden

Description: This picture from Sweden, titled Veins of Heaven, depicts a natural science phenomenon called noctilucent clouds.  These clouds mainly appear in high altitudes during the summer time.  Noctilucent clouds from by water vapor going up to the higher colder atmospheres and condensing with the dust particles that volcanic ash and decaying meteors give off.  Then sunlight that is still below the horizon shines through the clouds, giving off this vein like visual effect. 

What questions does this raise:

-Do these type of clouds have any precipitation element?

-Why do they mainly form in high altitudes?

-Why in the summer?

-Do they have an environmental purpose or is it just a pretty display of light?  

Where I got it from: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140731.html