Stock Photo - Jul. 07, 1967 - Rockets Probe Secrets Of 50-Mile-High Clouds: One of the greatest unsolved questions the upper atmosphere is being investigated by nightly firing of Skua rockets from Britain's northernmost rocket range on South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Clouds that shine at night at a height of 30 miles have baffled meteorologists for centuries. The highest ordinary clouds stop at a height of 10 miles. In the opinion of Dr. R. Frith, Assistant Director of Hight Atmosphere Research, Meteorological Office, Bracknell, the centre of the clouds is made up from meteorite particles surrounded by ice. The origin of the water that forms the clouds is at present unknown. The clouds appear only between June and August at a high geographical latitude. If more details about the temperature in this region were known, the origin of the water might be explained. The range, officially called The Royal Artillery Guided Weapons Range (Hebrides), is under the control of the Army. The R.A.F. is responsible for assembling and firing the rockets, which are built by Bristol Aero Jets, of Weston-super-Mars. The Meteorological Office is responsible for the design of the equipment for measuring the temperature, wind velocity and other atmosphere data and the scientific evaluation of it. The rocket reaches an altitude of 55 miles at its maximum, where a small parachute is ejected to carry down slowly the thermometer equipment. Readings from the thermometer are automatically broadeast and received on the ground. Photo shows A Skua I rocket being launched on South Ulst. The booster charge and its parachute break away at 200ft and return for future use. Launching are only being done at night at present as the intense light of the sun upsets temperature measurements. (Credit Image: © Keystone Press Agency/Keystone USA via ZUMAPRESS.com)