Spiral sky spectacle over Hawaii: SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket leaves unusual trail
The Japanese company Subaru, operating under the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, recorded this remarkable occurrence. This unfolded soon after the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was launched from the American spaceport at Cape Canaveral in Florida, resulting in spirals appearing in the sky over Hawaii.
Scientist Scott Tilly, referenced by Space.com, points out that the spiral spotted in the sky was almost precisely where you would expect to find the Falcon 9 rocket a few minutes post-launch.
The spiral most likely materializes in the sky as the rocket vents unused fuel. Experts highlight that this sky spectacle is not the first of its kind following a SpaceX rocket launch.
This phenomenon has previously been observed in New Zealand. In the article, scientists also mentioned that the Falcon 9 leaves spirals in its wake and other patterns like the "space jellyfish" seen in the pre-dawn sky over Florida's coast.
Launch of Falcon Heavy
On Sunday, the American space company SpaceX, an Elon Musk enterprise, facilitated the Falcon Heavy rocket launch as part of the fifth space mission named USSF-67, carrying two military satellite systems.
The Falcon Heavy, the most potent operational rocket worldwide, was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The flight occurred late Sunday afternoon, local time. The payload comprised two military systems: SATCOM - a relay satellite designed to amplify armed forces' communication capabilities, and ESPA, which provides data for U.S. space forces, among other duties.
Upcoming launch in few months
The rocket also launched prototype systems for secure space-to-earth communication into the airspace. "It's a complex mission (...) We are very excited about the approaching launch of our second Falcon Heavy in just a few months," said Stephen Purdy, executive director of the Space Systems Command program, before the rocket's launch.
Sunday's Falcon Heavy operation marked the second in the last three months, following a three-year hiatus. On November 1, a rocket was launched as part of the USSF-44 mission, placing microsatellites into orbit for the American military. This year, SpaceX has planned four additional Falcon Heavy launches.
