SpaceX launch blamed for glowing spiral in UK
Mar 26, 2025
London [UK], March 26: A large glowing spiral which lit up the skies over the UK on Monday night is believed to have been caused by a SpaceX rocket launched more than 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometres) away.
The growing swirl visible for several minutes across British skies was initially confused with aviation and even extraterrestrial activity by some, but it has now been attributed to a launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Billionaire Elon Musk's company SpaceX held a launch for the US government shortly before 1.50 pm local time (1750 GMT) and it is understood the Falcon 9 rocket's frozen exhaust plume caused the display.
The Met Office said on social media site X: "The rocket's frozen exhaust plume appears to be spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the sunlight, causing it to appear as a spiral in the sky."
The twisting celestial display was visible across much of Europe, with hundreds taking to social media to share footage and imagery. (PA Media/dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune
