Several Brits spotted a mysterious light blue spiral in the sky on Monday night.
The strange phenomenon was seen around 8.00pm, raising speculation as to what it might be caused by.
Incredible time-lapse.
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) March 24, 2025
Tonight, a glowing spiral appeared in the sky over the UK and Europe, likely caused by frozen fuel released from a SpaceX rocket’s second stage after launch. The pattern was visible for several minutes before fading.pic.twitter.com/jL7CXKmXCl
The spiral was spotted from England, Wales and other parts of Europe. It could be seen for a few minutes before fading.
What caused the mysterious shape to occur?
Experts said that the unusual sight was caused by frozen fuel from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which launched for the NROL-69 mission on Monday.
Excess fuel turns to water vapour and reflects sunlight, causing the spiral shape to form.
Brian Cox, a professor in particle physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester said on X: “For everyone asking about the strange spiral shape in the sky earlier - it was associated with this launch”.
For everyone asking about the strange spiral shape in the sky earlier - it was associaed with this launch https://t.co/L3A7fUVT6z
— Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) March 24, 2025
UK Astronomy also commented on the strange sighting: “Lots asking about this! It's the 2nd stage deorbit burn from the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket”.
How have other people reacted on social media?
One Brit posted on X: “Anyone have any idea what it is I read it could be a @SpaceX rocket but didn't know they were visible in Yorkshire UK”.
Merlin Tomkins, posting from North Wales, said on X: “Just saw a very strange object cross the night sky,’ he said, Was followed by what seemed to be a satellite. Disappeared when it moved se suggesting was lit by sun”.
Just saw a very strange object cross the night sky in n wales. Bright satellite or plane which was surrounded by a thin wispy spiral cloud which radiated from the object. Was followed by what seemed to be a satellite. Disappeared when it moved se suggesting was lit by sun. pic.twitter.com/67MBU5PXio
— Merlin Tomkins 🇺🇦 (@MerlinTomkins) March 24, 2025
Meanwhile, another spectator offered an alternate explanation: “Weird thing to see in the sky at night. What are we thinking? Bit of a rocket launch spinning off and outgassing or out…fuelling? Aliens?”
Has anything like this happened before?
In 2021, a similar spiral was spotted in the sky following the launch of China’s Long March 2C rocket.
A similar swirl was also seen in Norway in December 2009, proceeding a Russian missile test in the area.
