SpaceX rocket launch causes stunning ‘jellyfish cloud’ visible off US east coast
Expanding plume of fuel exhaust crystalized in the sky and reflected sunlight off frozen particles after Florida launch A SpaceX rocket provided a stunning pre-dawn display over Florida as a massive, luminescent “jellyfish cloud” spread for miles, caused by an expanding plume of fuel exhaust crystalizing in the sky and reflecting sunlight off the frozen particles. The phenomenon occurred shortly…
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Florida's Cape Canaveral space force station early Tuesday morning, captivating sky watchers along the US east coast with a mesmerizing "jellyfish cloud" phenomenon. The luminescent cloud appeared shortly after the rocket's 6:33am ET blastoff, as expanding plumes of fuel exhaust crystallized in the sky and reflected sunlight off the frozen particles.
The spectacular display occurred 48 minutes before sunrise, providing an ideal setting for the colorful effect to be visible from Earth. The rocket's north-eastern trajectory allowed residents from Georgia to New York to witness the celestial spectacle.
Images of the jellyfish cloud were shared on X, the social media platform owned by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, drawing numerous replies from sky watchers across multiple states. Those who missed Tuesday's stunning event have another chance to view a similar phenomenon next Monday, October 19, when another SpaceX Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch from the same space force station pad.
The launch window for the satellite-deployment mission opens at 6:30am ET, providing sky gazers with an hour-long window before sunrise at 7:01am ET to marvel at the mesmerizing "jellyfish cloud."
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