See it: Florida SpaceX launch produces dazzling blue spiral in night sky above Europe
According to the U.K. Met Office, the rare display was likely caused by the rocket's frozen exhaust plume, which appeared to be spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the light, thus creating the jaw-dropping spiral effect.
Watch: SpaceX launch produces dazzling blue spiral in sky above Europe
A blue spiral was seen in the night sky across Europe on Monday, March 24, which was likely caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch. This video shows the spiral over Joze in central France.
A SpaceX rocket launch from Florida on Monday afternoon produced a dazzling display in the night sky above Europe, leading to some people asking Elon Musk what they were witnessing.
The rocket launched from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during the afternoon hours, but it was already dark across Europe when it lifted off.
![This photo shows a blue spiral in the night sky above Lincoln, England, after a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch on Monday, March 24, 2025.]()
Image 1 of 2This photo shows a blue spiral in the night sky above Lincoln, England, after a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch on Monday, March 24, 2025. (Joanne Werrell via Storyful)
![This photo shows a blue spiral in the night sky above Lincoln, England, after a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch on Monday, March 24, 2025.]()
Image 2 of 2This photo shows a blue spiral in the night sky above Lincoln, England, after a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch on Monday, March 24, 2025. (Joanne Werrell via Storyful)
As it zoomed across the sky to reach space, it produced a mesmerizing blue spiral that left many Europeans scratching their heads.
The video at the top of this story was recorded in Joze, central France, and provides a glimpse of what several people witnessed as the rocket tried to escape Earth's atmosphere.
People in England also witnessed the unusual display, with photos shared from Lincoln showing the massive blue and white colors illuminating part of the night sky.
Photographer Joanne Werrell said it was "amazing to watch as it went over."
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Watch: SpaceX launch captivates skywatchers across Europe
A video shared from the United Kingdom on Monday, March 24, showed a blue spiral in the night sky after a SpaceX rocket launch from Florida.
Another person from the United Kingdom took to X to ask Elon Musk if the hypnotic display was from a SpaceX rocket. The video Jamie Hume shared showed a faint white ring surrounding a brighter white light, presumably the rocket, as it zoomed away from Earth.
According to the U.K. Met Office, the rare display was likely caused by the rocket's frozen exhaust plume, which appeared to be spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the light, thus creating the jaw-dropping spiral effect.