Rocket launches help the clouds shine at night

Morning rocket launches can cause clouds to shine at night above Britain in a rare phenomenon known as noctilucence, scientists have found.

The glowing clouds usually form when ice crystals condense on particles of meteor debris in the mesosphere, and are typically seen over the poles.

However, researchers at the US Naval Research Laboratory discovered that fumes from morning rocket launches can trigger the clouds to form at latitudes below 60 degrees, such as over northern Europe.

Noctilucent clouds were seen earlier this month across Northumberland, North Yorkshire and even London.