Source of the photo
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2003/19feb_nlc/
Author of the description
GK
The scheme above explains the primary mechanism of the formation of noctilucent clouds, clouds which emit bluish light in dark. The sun under the horizon does not enlight Earth surface but enlights the sky and the sunlight is reflected on the surface of the cloud. The noctilucent clouds probably consist of very small ice cristalls.
Source of description
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2003/19feb_nlc/