A glowing spiral lit up the night sky over Europe on March 24, leaving many puzzled. Was it a comet? A new planet? Or, as some joked, a UFO? The strange formation lingered for several minutes before fading away – but not before countless skywatchers captured it on camera.
The mystery didn’t last long. A post on X from the U.K.’s Met Office explained that the spiral was likely linked to a SpaceX rocket launched from Florida earlier that day. As the Falcon 9 rocket reentered Earth’s atmosphere, it released leftover fuel to reduce weight. At such high altitudes – where the air is extremely cold – the fuel froze almost instantly.
The spiral shape came from the rocket’s rotation. As it spun, the frozen fuel spread out in a swirling pattern. Sunlight reflecting off the icy particles created the glowing effect, making the spectacle clearly visible across much of Europe – from the U.K. to Eastern Europe.
Astronomers explained that while these kinds of light displays are rare, they’re not unheard of. Similar light shows have appeared following other rocket launches, but they often go unnoticed since they typically occur around dawn or early evening. This time, however, the conditions were just right – allowing thousands of people across multiple countries to witness the spectacle.
Some viewers said it looked like a spinning wheel, while others compared it to a galaxy drifting across the sky. While the phenomenon had a straightforward scientific explanation, many agreed it was a surprising – and unforgettable – sight.