Floridians in some unexpected corners of the state got a spectacular sky show following a recent SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, with the effects visible as far south as Collier County.
An Isles of Capri resident spotted and photographed the phenomenon commonly called "space jellyfish" — dreamy, bubble-like shapes that bloom in the upper atmosphere after a rocket passes through it. The images show soft, luminous formations drifting above the Southwest Florida horizon.
The jellyfish effect occurs when exhaust plumes from a rocket interact with high-altitude winds and sunlight, scattering and expanding into those signature rounded shapes. Because Cape Canaveral sits on Florida's east coast, it's always a pleasant surprise when the atmospheric art drifts far enough west to be visible from the Gulf side.
If you've never caught one of these displays, it's worth keeping an eye on SpaceX's launch schedule — clear evenings shortly after liftoff tend to offer the best viewing conditions across the state. This story was originally reported by Naples News.
