A rare and mesmerizing glowing spiral seen above the UK on Monday evening has been traced back to a SpaceX rocket launch in the United States. The light formation, which appeared in the night sky and lingered for several minutes before dissipating, has been attributed to frozen fuel released by Elon Musk’s Falcon 9 rocket.
The Falcon 9 lifted off at approximately 13:50 local time (17:50 GMT) from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on a classified mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Despite the secrecy of the payload, what followed the launch was anything but hidden.
Key Highlights:
What Caused the Glowing Spiral in the Sky?
The rare spiral was visible across parts of England, Wales, and even into mainland Europe. According to experts, this type of atmospheric display occurs under specific conditions during space launches:
- After the rocket releases its payload (likely a satellite or surveillance equipment), it begins its return journey to Earth.
- In the process, it ejects leftover fuel, which immediately freezes at high altitudes, forming intricate spiral patterns due to the rocket’s spinning motion.
- These frozen particles reflect sunlight, producing the glowing swirl that becomes visible from the ground.
Astronomer Allan Trow, who witnessed the phenomenon over Wales’ Bannau Brycheiniog National Park at around 20:00 local time, confirmed that such sights are uncommon but not unprecedented.
“I saw a similar event around four years ago,” said Trow. “But these are pretty rare.” He agreed that the SpaceX rocket was the likely source of Monday’s event.
Public and Scientific Reactions
The unusual sight quickly gained traction on social media, with hundreds of observers posting images of the spiral taken from across the UK and Europe. The cloud-like shape had an ethereal glow, captivating viewers and sparking widespread curiosity.
While many initially speculated it could be a comet or a celestial event, astronomers and space observers pointed to Falcon 9 as the source within hours. Both SpaceX and the Kennedy Space Center later confirmed that the launch was a classified government operation.
How Often Do These Events Happen?
Although SpaceX frequently launches Falcon 9 rockets, this specific spiral phenomenon is relatively rare and dependent on several factors:
- Timing of launch (twilight or evening)
- Angle of the rocket’s return
- Amount and type of fuel ejected
- Clear atmospheric conditions
When all these variables align, the frozen fuel becomes visible as spirals or halos, producing a surreal spectacle that observers sometimes confuse with UFOs or atmospheric anomalies.
About the Falcon 9 Rocket
The Falcon 9 is a reusable two-stage rocket developed by SpaceX. Its reusability is one of its key innovations, allowing the first stage to return to Earth for future launches, thereby reducing spaceflight costs.
During most missions:
- The first stage returns for landing.
- The second stage continues into orbit and may release fuel, creating visible patterns depending on its altitude and trajectory.
For this specific classified NRO mission, no further details about the payload have been made public.
SpaceX Rocket Leaves a Mark in the UK Sky
The mysterious glowing spiral that lit up the skies over the UK has now been identified as a spectacular result of a spacex rocket launch—bringing awe, curiosity, and a dash of cosmic beauty to observers below.
While rare, these phenomena serve as a visible reminder of how space technology impacts not just science and defense but the skies above us. As launches continue to increase globally, skywatchers may want to keep an eye out for the next unexpected spectacle.
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