A striking blue and white spiral that lit up the night sky over Europe on Monday has been identified as the result of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch. The phenomenon, visible in countries like Sweden, Poland, Hungary, and Croatia, sparked curiosity and speculation, with some even mistaking it for a UFO.
Weather forecasters from the UK’s Met Office and France’s Meteo France confirmed that the illuminated swirl was caused by frozen fuel released by the rocket’s booster. After separating from the upper stage, the booster vented leftover fuel, which crystallized into reflective ice particles, creating the glowing spiral pattern.
The Falcon 9 rocket was part of the NROL-69 mission, conducted on behalf of the US National Reconnaissance Office, which is responsible for military satellite operations. Although the exact nature of the payload remains classified, experts believe it was a spy satellite.
Similar spirals have been observed in the past, including one over New Zealand in 2022, also caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch. Astrophysicist Eric Lagadec humorously commented on social media, suggesting Elon Musk enjoys causing disruptions both on Earth and in space.
While the fuel venting is not dangerous, it serves as a reminder of the increasing frequency of rocket launches and their visibility in the night sky.
