Over the last couple of years bright noctilucent clouds have been rather rare from our latitudes, but this year the situation appears to be quite different. Already on June 8/9 we observed some fine NLC through rather thick cirrus, and last night (June 14/15) we finally were treated on a fine display under very favourable conditions.
When we drove to our regular observing site near Sint Annen, shortly after 22h15m UT, for our first serious observing session of this month after two weeks of mostly cloud (the grey variety) we immediately noticed bright NLC low over the northern horizon, up to some 10 degrees, with a wealth of intricate detail.
For a moment we feared that it would interfere with our attempts to finally observe C/2005 K2 (LINEAR), but fortunately the NLC did not reach that high, so after first adding V1663 Aql (Nova 2005) to our score-board, we also managed to get a good view of this latest LINEAR find.
Between these observations Edwin was busy imaging the NLC.
On the right you find a selection of his best images, which were taken between 22h30m and 23h UT.
Reinder Bouma, 15-06-2005
(All images on Minolta dimage 7i, @2005EdwinvanDijk)
