A massive glowing spiral appeared in the night sky over parts of the UK on Monday evening, believed to be caused by a SpaceX rocket launch from the United States.
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03-31, 2025The cloud-like shape was visible for several minutes before dissipating and is believed to have been caused by residual fuel released by the rocket in space. Elon Musk's space company's Falcon 9 rocket launched from Florida at approximately 13:50 local time (17:50 GMT) to carry out a classified mission for the U.S. government.
The Falcon 9 is a reusable rocket. After launching into space, it releases its so-called payload—whatever it is carrying, such as satellites, to complete its mission—and then continues its journey into space. The rocket then turns around and heads back to Earth. In the process, it vents any remaining fuel, which immediately freezes due to the high altitude and forms a spiral shape due to the rocket's movement.
Light then reflects off the frozen fuel, making it visible from Earth. The glowing vortex was photographed in England and Wales, and parts of Europe also witnessed it.
Astronomer Alan Trow said it appeared over Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in Wales at around 8 p.m. He stated that he had seen this phenomenon about four years ago. "But these are very rare," he told the BBC, agreeing that a rocket was its likely source. SpaceX stated on the X platform that the launch was a mission for the U.S. government's National Reconnaissance Office. Kennedy Space Center also stated on the X platform that the launch was a classified mission for that office.
