Experience a Rare Celestial Event
On June 9, Alberta dazzled skywatchers with a stunning display of northern lights intertwining with glowing noctilucent clouds. This spectacular event was skillfully captured by aurora chaser Harlan Thomas, who was in the right place at the right time. The vibrant colors of the aurora contrasted beautifully with the ethereal glow of the noctilucent clouds, creating a breathtaking night sky show that mesmerized viewers.
The unique combination of northern lights and noctilucent clouds is rare. It typically requires specific atmospheric conditions to witness these two phenomena together. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, result from solar wind interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field. Meanwhile, noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere, made of ice crystals that shine brightly in the twilight. This rare occurrence captivated many and reminded us of the beauty of our night skies.
