It is believed that SpaceX’s launch caused the glowing spiral in the UK sky
A stunning and enigmatic glowing spiral appeared in the night sky above several regions in the UK on Monday, captivating observers and sparking curiosity. This mesmerizing phenomenon, which remained visible for a few minutes before gradually fading, is believed to have been caused by a SpaceX rocket launch originating from the United States. Experts suggest that the dazzling display resulted from the expulsion of excess fuel from the rocket while it was traveling through space.
The extraordinary sight is thought to be connected to the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket by Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX. The launch took place in Florida at approximately 13:50 local time (17:50 GMT) as part of a classified mission undertaken for the US government. The Falcon 9, a cutting-edge reusable rocket, is designed to transport its payload—which may include satellites, advanced surveillance technology, or other mission-critical equipment—into orbit. Once the payload is successfully deployed, the rocket then commences its controlled return to Earth.
As it descends, any remaining propellant is vented into space, where it instantly freezes due to the extremely high altitude and frigid conditions. This process, combined with the spiraling motion of the rocket, creates the distinctive swirling pattern seen from the ground. The light from the Sun or other celestial sources reflects off the frozen fuel particles, causing the striking, glowing spiral to become visible against the dark backdrop of the night sky.
Observers in England, Wales, and even some parts of mainland Europe managed to capture photographs of this rare celestial event. One of the individuals who documented the occurrence was astronomer Allan Trow, who spotted the phenomenon above Wales’ Bannau Brycheiniog National Park around 20:00. Having witnessed a similar event nearly four years ago, he remarked on its rarity, noting that while such occurrences do happen, they remain infrequent and continue to fascinate skywatchers.
SpaceX later confirmed via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the launch was part of a classified operation for the US National Reconnaissance Office. The Kennedy Space Center also reiterated that the mission was highly confidential, further adding to the intrigue surrounding the event.
