A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station created a glowing, jellyfish-like plume in the Tuesday morning sky, visible to observers across Florida and as far north as Virginia.
The rocket lifted off at 6:33 a.m. EDT carrying a Dragon cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station. The mission is transporting more than 6,300 pounds of supplies and scientific equipment and is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on Thursday, Oct. 15.
The unusual display occurred because the Falcon 9 launched shortly before sunrise. While the ground remained dark, the rocket’s exhaust plume reached high enough in the atmosphere to catch sunlight, making it stand out against the darker sky.
At high altitude, lower air pressure allows released gases and water vapor to expand quickly. That broadening plume, along with wispy exhaust trails, produced the rounded shape that prompted sightings described as a “space jellyfish.” Photos accompanying Weather’s report showed the phenomenon over St. Augustine and Orlando.
