Arctic watchers were treated to a remarkable display of nature’s forces as unusual rainbow-colored clouds graced the sky. A cold snap in the Arctic facilitated the appearance of rare polar stratospheric clouds, mesmerizing viewers over a three-day period from 18 to 20 December.
These ethereal clouds, also known as “nacreous clouds”, manifested in various shades, intensifying their presence just before sunset, as noted by Norwegian photographer Ramune Sapailaite. Photos of this celestial spectacle come from locations as far away as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Alaska, and even southern Scotland, captured by spaceweather.com and Live Science contributors.
Polar stratospheric clouds materialize exclusively in extremely cold conditions, formed by tiny ice crystals that scatter sunlight, creating tiny rainbows in the sky. These crystals float at extremely high altitudes – between 9.3 and 15.5 miles above the Earth’s surface – and form when water vapor condenses at cold temperatures.
They are usually observed only a few times a year, especially in January. The extended visibility of these clouds for several consecutive days in December marked a truly rare and magnificent phenomenon.
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