Overview
- People across Ireland reported a bright, halo-like object moving at slightly varying speed on Wednesday night.
- Experts and amateur skywatchers said the most likely cause was excess fuel vented from a Falcon 9 launched from Florida, with frozen droplets reflecting sunlight.
- The reported path over Ireland matched the rocket’s trajectory from Cape Canaveral, according to expert assessments.
- SpaceX said the mission’s first-stage booster returned about 8.5 minutes after liftoff for a drone-ship landing in the Atlantic.
- The episode renewed concern among astronomers about satellite congestion and highlighted Ireland’s location along common launch tracks as SpaceX flies frequently.