A spectacular and puzzling event unfolded across the sky over the UK on Monday evening, captivating observers as a large glowing spiral lit up the atmosphere. The phenomenon was reported by residents in various regions including Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, and Bristol, drawing widespread attention and speculation about its origins.
Initial sightings of the glowing spiral began around 7.30pm GMT, with many people taking to social media to express their wonder and confusion regarding the mysterious display. Some onlookers suggested it could be an aviation incident or even an extraterrestrial encounter. However, experts soon pinpointed the source as related to a recent launch conducted by SpaceX at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The launch, which took place shortly before 1.50pm local time (5.50pm GMT), involved a Falcon 9 rocket. According to the Met Office, the fascinating spiral phenomenon was attributed to the rocket's frozen exhaust plume. It was theorised that as the Falcon 9 rocket completed its mission, it expelled leftover fuel, which, upon venting, formed a twisting spiral pattern as it interacted with the atmosphere. Light reflecting off this frozen fuel created the stunning visual effect that many witnessed from the ground.
The Met Office provided insights via social media, stating, “The rocket’s frozen exhaust plume appears to be spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the sunlight, causing it to appear as a spiral in the sky.” Observers viewed the display for several minutes as the spiral illuminated the night, leading to numerous reports of the unusual sighting across the country and even into neighbouring European regions.
One local from Bristol, who preferred to remain unnamed, recounted their experience to the PA news agency. "It looked just like a plane with its headlight on," they remarked. "It suddenly went blurry, and I thought ‘oh, it’s gone into cloud’, but then realised there weren’t any clouds." They further described how the spiral arms began shooting out, stating, “I realised straight away it was SpaceX because I’ve seen it so much on YouTube, but I can totally see how others would have been weirded out by it – it really did look alien.”
Reports continued to flood in, with people from various locations, including Belper, Derbyshire, and beyond, sharing photos and videos of the spectacle. In Greater Manchester, onlookers described the encounter with terms of awe, with one individual stating it was “absolutely beautiful flying over Horwich.”
The unusual sighting has prompted comparisons to past incidents involving similar phenomena linked to SpaceX launches, including one in New Zealand in 2022. Observers in both regions experienced visually stunning displays created by the rocket's venting fuel.
As speculation circulated about the origins of the spiral, it served as a vivid demonstration of how space exploration can impact life on Earth, even in indirect ways. The event not only provided a moment of collective fascination across multiple communities but also highlighted ongoing advancements in space technology and its global implications.
Source: Noah Wire Services