Overview

• Social media videos captured spirals, halos and boomerang-shaped lights from Maryland to southern Canada on the night of Aug. 12 as stargazers awaited the Perseid meteor shower.
• ESA’s Ariane 6 polar launch executed a deorbit burn and fuel dump that released frozen propellant in a tumbling upper stage, producing the widespread spiral.
• A near-simultaneous ULA Vulcan Centaur liftoff from Cape Canaveral generated localized plume reflections that explained additional regional sightings.
• Astronomers including Jonathan McDowell and Derrick Pitts confirmed that tumbling rocket stages and frozen exhaust particles reflecting sunlight created the optical displays.
• Space agencies underline that these effects stem from routine disposal maneuvers, pose no risks and caused no reported injuries.