SpaceX Falcon 9 launch created a rare glowing jellyfish effect lighting up the skies of California Nevada and Arizona People captured stunning photos and videos of the rocket trail forming cosmic artwork in the western sky
SpaceX Falcon 9 launch creates glowing jellyfish effect over western US sky
The recent Falcon 9 rocket launch by SpaceX turned the night sky into a glowing artwork across the western United States The rocket lifted off after sunset and created a rare visual called the jellyfish effect People in California Nevada Arizona and even parts of Utah looked up and saw a bright formation glowing like a cosmic creature floating above the atmosphere This happens when rocket exhaust interacts
with sunlight at high altitudes while the ground below is already dark The result is a glowing cloud that stretches across the sky and looks like a jellyfish with a long shining tail Viewers were amazed as the plume spread wide in colors of white blue and orange Social media quickly filled with videos and photos from skywatchers Some said it felt like a UFO others said it was the most magical moment they had ever seen The Falcon 9 launch was not just another mission to orbit it became a show of light and science visible to millions who watched the western sky
Why the jellyfish effect from Falcon 9 launch looks so unique
The jellyfish effect is not seen in every rocket flight it only appears under very specific conditions When a rocket like Falcon 9 launches after sunset or before sunrise the exhaust plume reaches altitudes that are still in direct sunlight Even though the ground is dark the particles in the exhaust reflect sunlight and scatter it across the upper atmosphere This scattering creates a glowing translucent cloud that
spreads wide and takes shapes like a jellyfish The western US was perfectly positioned during this launch to see the rare event Clear skies and the angle of sunlight made the colors brighter and sharper Skywatchers described it as seeing a floating lantern or even a cosmic spirit in the sky For many it was
the first time witnessing such a sight Some scientists also pointed out that these events are useful for studying atmospheric winds and high altitude behavior The jellyfish effect shows how science and beauty can come together turning a technical launch into a natural art show
Reactions as Falcon 9 glowing plume lit up western United States
People across western states were quick to share their excitement online Families rushed outside to capture photos children pointed at the sky asking what it was and photographers stayed ready with long exposure shots Within minutes of liftoff Twitter Instagram and Facebook were filled with hashtags and clips of the glowing rocket trail The plume stretched wide across the horizon and stayed visible for
several minutes giving plenty of time for people to admire it Some users compared it to fireworks while others called it a gift from the universe While the Falcon 9 was busy deploying satellites into orbit people on the ground experienced a cosmic celebration The glowing jellyfish effect not only spread wonder but also sparked curiosity among young learners and stargazers For SpaceX this was another successful launch mission but for the western United States it became a night to remember a night where space technology painted glowing art across the dark sky