Polar stratospheric clouds, a rare and captivating atmospheric phenomenon, were recently captured above a mountain in Iceland within the span of just one hour.
These clouds, also known as nacreous clouds or mother-of-pearl clouds, form in the winter polar stratosphere at altitudes of 15,000–25,000 meters. They are characterized by their vibrant and iridescent colors, often resembling a pearlescent painting in the sky. The unique optical properties of these clouds result from the refraction and dispersion of sunlight by ice crystals in the cloud. Despite their beauty, these clouds are also linked to the destruction of ozone in the stratosphere.
