Overview

• Observers across multiple states and parts of Canada reported a swirling light during the Perseid peak, fueling UFO and meteor speculations on social media.
• ESA and the Canadian Space Agency confirmed the Ariane 6 upper stage conducted a deorbit burn and spin-up fuel dump around 10:35–10:45 p.m. EDT, matching eyewitness accounts.
• A near-simultaneous ULA Vulcan Centaur launch from Cape Canaveral carrying USSF navigation satellites likely produced additional illuminated plumes in some regions.
• Astrophysicists explained that frozen exhaust and propellant ice crystals at high altitude reflected sunlight or moonlight, creating the spiral and boomerang shapes.
• Officials stressed the routine disposal maneuver posed no hazard, and public uncertainty has waned as authoritative explanations circulated.