Episode 16: Noctilucent Clouds

An unusual episode of Dog Stars sees Chris and Mr Max out before sunset. The most exciting thing is the possibility of treats, but we also talk about eerie Noctilucent - night-shining - clouds, visible after sunset in the summer sky. These beautiful, mysterious apparitions are worth keeping an eye out for if the skies are clear - and we talk about the possible link to a nineteenth century volcano and the space shuttle.

You can find out more about noctilucent clouds with the Sky at Night's Pete Lawrence here: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/astrophotography/astrophoto-tips/photograph-motion-noctilucent-clouds/ and there's a beautiful image of them from the space station by Chris Hadfield https://www.universetoday.com/99606/noctilucent-clouds-imaged-by-astronaut-chris-hadfield/

[Since we got back, Chris learnt that 'the year with no summer' was due to another 19th century volcano, not Krakatoa. He apologies to Mr Max, and to you, for the error].