Unusual Spiral Lights Up Lithuanian Sky, Explained as SpaceX Rocket Debris
Lithuanian residents were treated to a striking, and initially mysterious, sight Monday evening: a large, white-blue spiral formation in the sky. The unusual phenomenon sparked widespread speculation on social media, with theories ranging from extraterrestrial activity to a new meteorological event.
However, the explanation, according to “Weather and Climate in Lithuania,” is far more terrestrial – and increasingly common. The spiral was created by exhaust from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
As the rocket ascended to a high altitude, it released excess fuel. This fuel then crystallized in the cold upper atmosphere. When illuminated by the setting sun, the crystallized fuel created the spectacular spiral pattern visible across Lithuania.
The Falcon 9 rocket launched at Lithuanian time from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and passed over Europe approximately two hours later, leaving the striking visual display.
Experts predict that such sightings will become more frequent as the number of rocket launches, particularly for satellite deployment and commercial missions, continues to increase. “We see very likely that we will see more and more such spirals,” stated “Weather and Climate in Lithuania.” “Similar to the case with satellite trains – at first everyone was very surprised, but eventually many sky observers got used to it.”
This event echoes a similar, though earlier, unexplained phenomenon known as the Petrozavodsk phenomenon, which occurred in 1977. Sightings of glowing objects and rays were reported across a vast area, from Europe to Russia. Initial concerns even prompted inquiries from government officials fearing Soviet weapons testing. While initially a mystery, the Petrozavodsk phenomenon was later attributed to the launch of the Soviet satellite Kosmos-955, though a conclusive explanation remains debated.
The recent spiral over Lithuania, however, has a clear and confirmed explanation, highlighting the increasing visibility of space activities in our skies. While the northern lights, or auroras, are a naturally occurring spectacle usually seen in northern Europe, recent increased solar activity has made them visible further south, including Lithuania, on occasion. The northern lights are created when charged particles from the sun collide with atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing the sky to glow in various colors.
The growing frequency of rocket launches, like the one that produced the Lithuanian spiral, suggests that these man-made sky phenomena will become a more regular occurrence, offering a visible reminder of humanity’s expanding presence in space.
