Overview

• The glowing spiral, seen on March 24, 2025, was caused by frozen fuel vented from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during its descent.
• The rocket launched earlier that day from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a classified mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NROL-69).
• The phenomenon, visible across the UK and parts of Europe, resulted from sunlight reflecting off ice crystals formed at high altitudes.
• Initial sightings led to speculation about UFOs, but experts quickly identified the spiral as a byproduct of the rocket's operation.
• Similar spirals have been observed following past SpaceX launches, with this one enhanced by favorable twilight conditions over Europe.