Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

It might look like this picture is of an ordinary sunset in Sheffield - except it was taken at 2am.

Several photographers last night captured these stunning photos of what appears to have been an “extremely rare” weather phenomenon that lit up Sheffield’s sky - noctilucent clouds.

Billy Wassell captured this photo of Sheffield's sky looking bright on June 18 - at 2am. It is an example of "extremely rare" noctilucent clouds lighting up the sky. | Billy Wassell

The striking nighttime event is caused by collections of ice crystals, which at around 200,000 feet above ground are so high up they are still reflecting sunlight even at night.

Subscribe to The Star’s newsletter for all the latest news in Sheffield delivered direct to your inbox.

The Met Office writes: “Noctilucent clouds are extremely rare very high clouds seen in the night sky, usually on clear, summer nights.

This picture by Linda Slack also captures the unusual event over Sheffield's skies last night. | Linda Slack

They become visible about the same time as the brightest stars and are usually bluish or silvery.”

It seems a perfect fit to describe these two late night pictures by Linda Slack and Billy Wassell from after midnight on June 18 in Sheffield.

For more information on noctilucent clouds, visit the Met Office’s website.

'Extremely rare' noctilucent clouds that make midnight look like sunset light up night sky over Sheffield

Comment Guidelines