A comparison between ground-based observations of noctilucent clouds and Aura satellite data

► A comparison is made between noctilucent clouds (NLCs) and Aura/MLS satellite data. ► The MLS temperature (T) around the summer mesopause controls the climatology of NLCs. ► In 2007 the minimum of T variations was observed 14 days earlier than that of 2008. ► The temperature decrease leads to amplification of the NLC brightness. ► The 2- and 5-day planetary waves have moderate influence on the NLC brightness.