Lead Weather Presenter Simon King reported a peculiar sight in the night sky above parts of the UK on Monday. A large glowing spiral caught the attention of many observers, with the mysterious shape visible for several minutes before dissipating. The phenomenon is believed to have been caused by a SpaceX rocket launch in the United States, specifically the Falcon 9 rocket from Elon Musk’s space company.
The rocket, launched in Florida on a classified US government mission, released leftover fuel into space after reaching a certain altitude. As the rocket turned back towards Earth, the ejected fuel froze instantly in a spiral pattern due to the extreme conditions. This frozen fuel then reflected light, creating the glowing swirl that was visible in England, Wales, and even parts of Europe.
Astronomer Allan Trow noted the appearance of the spiral above Wales’s Bannau Brycheiniog national park at around 20:00. This rare phenomenon had been witnessed by Trow before, about four years prior, showcasing the infrequency of such events. SpaceX confirmed that the launch was part of a US government National Reconnaissance Office mission, while the Kennedy Space Center indicated that it was a classified mission for that office.
The ethereal spectacle captured the curiosity of onlookers and astronomers alike, with its unique and transient nature leaving a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to witness it. The connection between the SpaceX rocket launch and the luminous spiral serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between space exploration and the mesmerizing phenomena it can produce in the night sky
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
