Mysterious ‘Jellyfish’ cloud lights up Florida sky after SpaceX Starlink rocket launch

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New Delhi: A strange glowing cloud shaped like a giant jellyfish lit up the early morning sky over Florida shortly after a SpaceX rocket launch, surprising many residents and skywatchers. The unusual formation appeared moments after a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The appearance of the glowing cloud on social media was soon photographed and recorded on video as the onlookers attempted to figure out what was going on. Although the formation appeared alien, professionals affirm that it was not a new occurrence that was related to the exhaust plume of the rocket interacting with sunlight in the upper atmosphere.

Sunlight illuminates rocket exhaust

The burning tower was created when the Falcon 9 rocket rose further into the sky. The faster the rocket got into the thinner air, the more the exhaust gases spread out to a large cloud.

Since it was launched at a time when the sun was rising, it was illuminating the high-altitude gases, yet the ground was in darkness. The sunshine shone on the swelling plume, forming a glowing cloud of brightness, which seemed to be floating in the sky.

Why it looked like a “Space Jellyfish”

Such a phenomenon is also commonly known by scientists as a ‘space jellyfish’ since the expanding exhaust cloud may take the shape of a clear jellyfish suspended in space. The burning flame is able to create extended trailing designs which resemble tentacles extending at the back of the flame.

This happens to be the case since the air pressure in the upper atmosphere is very low. The rocket exhaust diffuses easily into broad, cloud-like structures which can be easily seen over long distances because the gases are not contained by dense air.

A common sight after SpaceX launches

These sky phenomena (also known as sky art) have been growing over recent years as there are more SpaceX launches (especially missions delivering Starlink satellites). Every Falcon 9 launch is usually occupied by dozens of satellites aimed at increasing the range of internet satellites on the globe.

In some launches, the upper-stage firing of the rocket results in a visible plume which may extend hundreds of kilometres. As the sunlight surpasses the plume at the right angle, it may seem bright white, blue or even pink.

Although it looks dramatic, the glow around the cloud normally takes a few minutes. As the rocket goes on to its orbit, exhaust gases dissipate and dissolve into the upper atmosphere. To those on the ground, the short effect forms some rare visual spectacle where the conditions of modern spaceflight and the atmosphere all collide to produce an amazing sight in the sky.