During the early evenings in the mid- and upper-latitudes of Earth, it’s not uncommon to spot delicate, wispy clouds drifting high in the atmosphere.

These clouds, known for their celestial appearance, are composed of ice crystals found in very high altitudes, typically between 75 to 85 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. While the ground below is enveloped in darkness following sunset, these clouds continue to bask in sunlight. Meteorologists refer to them as noctilucent clouds, a term that literally means “night-shining” clouds.

Interestingly, there is potential for similar cloud formations to occur on Mars, given its thin atmosphere. Approximately twenty years ago, the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter made groundbreaking observations of noctilucent clouds on Mars, contributing to a comprehensive study. You can find more details in a systematic research article.

Since its landing in 2012, NASA’s Curiosity rover has been undertaking a variety of tasks, including occasionally gazing at the Martian sky. Recently, the rover’s Mastcam captured an breathtaking image of noctilucent clouds drifting above the Martian surface. In a mesmerizing time-lapse of 16 minutes, the clouds predominantly appear white, tinged with a captivating hint of red.