Nature's Night Lights

In the sunless days of polar winter, moonlight is key for observing weather, snow and sea ice.

Auroras over Antarctica shine enough light on the landscape to illuminate the glaciers and ice shelves below.

Atmospheric waves ripple across the top of a thunderstorm lit only by airglow, faint light produced by chemical reactions in the air.

High cirrus clouds lit by moonlight cast shadows on marine-layer clouds off California.

Scientists have a new tool to observe a planet that never sleeps.

Different features of nature (dunes, seas) and civilization (cities, oil drilling sites) become more or less visible with changing moonlight.

Flames on the ground and moonlight from above allow scientists and fire managers to observe the smoke plumes from wildfires even at night.