On social media, many viewers stunned after a viral video showed a mystery as huge spinning white spiral appears in the night sky.
Brits spot a mysterious spiral in the sky
A brits were left amazed after witnessing a spinning white spiral in the night sky.
They shared on x: “just saw this weird spiral of light while my little lad and i were stargazing. anyone know what it is?”
Additionally, people across yorkshire, hertfordshire, bristol, milton keynes, stoke-on-trent, and kent reported seeing the swirling light.
While, professor brian cox addressed the phenomenon on x, confirming its link to the spacex launch. Hee shared a video of falcon 9’s first stage landing in florida.
Social media reaction
Many took to social media, speculating about its origins.
While, some joked that it could be aliens, while others searched for scientific explanations.
Experts, however, linked the sighting to a recent spacex rocket launch.
One person said: weird thing to see at night. a rocket launch outgassing, or maybe aliens?
A second wrote: It’s a rip in the time space continuum … a tardis will appear any moment
While a third commented: Maybe is where the space rocket went through to space.
Another added: The first gate appeared! Solo leveling in real life.
Someone else said: There is a comet in our galaxy.. as it nears we will see it more often and cleared through October.
Another user commented: Could that be traces left by an alien spaceship when visiting Earth
Spacex rocket likely caused the glowing spiral
Scientists explained that the unusual spiral formed due to frozen fuel released from a rocket’s second stage.
The expelled fuel turned into ice, creating water vapor that reflected sunlight in the upper atmosphere.
This phenomenon occurred following the launch of spacex’s falcon 9 rocket for the nrol-69 mission.
Spacex regularly launches rockets that sometimes produce striking visual effects. The release of excess fuel into the atmosphere can result in glowing spirals, visible to observers on the ground.
Past occurrences of similar spirals in the sky
This isn’t the first time such a spiral has appeared.
In 2021, a similar sighting was traced back to a rocket launching a satellite into orbit.
American astronomer jonathan mcdowell confirmed that fuel released from china’s long march 2c rocket caused the spiral.
Mcdowell explained: “the spiral happens when a tumbling rocket vents fuel. it’s like a garden sprinkler, but in space, where no air distorts the shape.”
In december 2009, norway witnessed a blue swirling light that lit up the sky.
The russian military later confirmed that a failed missile test caused the striking visual.
A bulava intercontinental ballistic missile malfunctioned after being launched from a submarine in the white sea.
Scientific explanations behind these sky spirals
When rockets or missiles release fuel in space, the lack of air allows perfect spiral formations.
The expelled fuel freezes, forming ice crystals that reflect sunlight.
Since there’s no wind or friction in space, the shape remains intact for long distances.
While such spirals may look mysterious, experts emphasize that they are well-documented space phenomena.
Each sighting provides a unique glimpse into the effects of space travel on the earth’s atmosphere.
For now, skywatchers can continue enjoying such awe-inspiring sights, knowing they result from human advancements in space exploration.