SpaceX Rocket Fuel Creates Spectacular Spiral Over Europe

A classified Falcon 9 mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office caused a glowing spiral visible across Europe, later explained as frozen exhaust fuel reflecting sunlight.

The glowing spiral, seen on March 24, 2025, across the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe, was caused by frozen exhaust fuel from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched earlier that day.
The Falcon 9 rocket was conducting a classified mission, NROL-69, for the US National Reconnaissance Office, which manages military spy satellites.
The spiral phenomenon occurred when leftover rocket fuel vented into the atmosphere, froze into crystals, and reflected sunlight as the rocket's upper stage spun.
This rare but recurring phenomenon has been observed in previous SpaceX launches, including similar spirals over New Zealand in 2022 and the US in 2023.
The event sparked initial speculation about UFOs, but official explanations from the Met Office and SpaceX confirmed the scientific cause, calming public intrigue.