A rare and breathtaking celestial sight appeared in the night sky above parts of the UK, as a glowing spiral visible for several minutes before fading was spotted in Clee Hill, Shropshire, and other locations across England and Wales.
On Monday, a rare and breathtaking celestial sight appeared in the night sky above parts of the UK. A large glowing spiral, visible for several minutes before fading, was spotted in Clee Hill, Shropshire, as well as in Bulwick, Northamptonshire, and other locations across England and Wales.
The United Kingdom offers a unique opportunity for stargazing, with clear skies and minimal light pollution in many areas.
The Northern Lights can be seen on rare occasions, typically between September and April.
Meteor showers, such as the Perseid meteor shower in August, are also visible in the UK sky.
Notable celestial events include solar eclipses, which occur about twice a decade.
Amateur astronomers can explore various astronomical objects like nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies using binoculars or telescopes.
The cause of this phenomenon is believed to be a SpaceX rocket launch in the US. The Falcon 9 rocket, launched from Florida at 13:50 local time (17:50 GMT), released leftover fuel into space after completing its mission. As the rocket turned back towards Earth, it ejected the frozen fuel, which formed a spiral pattern due to its movement.
A SpaceX rocket launch is a complex process involving multiple stages, precise calculations, and cutting-edge technology.
The company's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets have successfully launched numerous satellites, spacecraft, and even crewed missions to the 'International Space Station'.
With an average of 20 launches per year, SpaceX has revolutionized the space industry with its reusable rockets and cost-effective launch services.
Statistics show that over 90% of SpaceX's launches are successful, making it one of the most reliable private space companies in the world.
The light reflected off the frozen fuel made it visible on Earth, creating the glowing swirl that was captured by astronomers and photographers alike. Astronomer Allan Trow, who has witnessed this phenomenon before around four years ago, confirmed that the rocket was likely the source of the sight. ‘These are pretty rare,’ he said, ”but I’m glad to have seen it again.’_
The SpaceX launch, described as a classified US government National Reconnaissance Office mission, was not publicly disclosed until after the fact. The Kennedy Space Center also released information about the launch, stating that it was a classified mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.
This rare celestial event serves as a reminder of the beauty and complexity of our universe, and the incredible technological advancements that make space exploration possible.
Space exploration began with the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union in 1957.
The United States responded with its own satellite, 'Explorer 1' , just a month later.
Since then, numerous countries have sent spacecraft to explore our solar system and beyond.
Notable milestones include NASA's Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 and the Mars Curiosity Rover's discovery of evidence for past water on Mars in 2012.
