Noctilucent Clouds and Aurora

doi:10.1117/3.2263346.ch9

Book: Optics in the Air: Observing Optical Phenomena through Airplane Windows

Author(s): Joseph A. Shaw

Published: 2017

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2263346.ch9

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

Flying at high latitudes provides opportunities for spectacular scenery and at least three unique optical phenomena: extremes in the length of day or night; wispy, noctilucent clouds at the edge of space; and swirling, colorful aurora. These occurrences appear not only during flights to or from the far north or south but also on flights along great circle routes that swing temporarily far north or south. You can enhance your time in high-latitude regions by selecting flights between higher-latitude cities. For example, when flying to Europe I like to connect in a northern city, such as Amsterdam.