Weird Blue Spiral Seen During Aurora Sighting in Alaska Not a Galaxy, Experts Explain

A strange blue spiral was spotted as the aurora lit up the skies, surprising northern lights enthusiasts along with the green bands of light dancing in the Alaskan skies. Even though it resembles a galaxy, experts disagree that it is one.

Even though images on social media are causing a stir, experts clarified that it was just extra fuel that was released from a SpaceX rocket that three hours prior had launched from California.

Blue Spiral Ice Fuel

Don Hampton, a research associate professor of space physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, explained that sometimes rocket fuel needs to be ejected.

The fuel turns into ice when it is ejected in high altitudes, Hampton continued. And if it's in the sunlight, those on the ground will consider it to be some sort of large cloud; occasionally, it will even appear swirly or spiral.

Although uncommon, Hampton claimed to have witnessed such events three times.

Social Media Famous

The Geophysical Institute's all-sky camera captured the swirl's emergence in time-lapse, which was then widely distributed. With that spiral, it sparked a small internet storm.

Photographers who went out to capture the northern lights display also shared their images online.

Todd Salat, a professional photographer, said All of this occurred as it crossed Alaska during a stunning aurora display, which astounded many nighttime observers, including himself. Salat is renowned for its beautiful aurora photographs.

Salat claimed that he was initially completely perplexed. Although he suspected it could be explained by rocket science, he thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of the unknown both during and immediately after the experience, according to AP News.

Space X

On Friday evening, the rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California with a payload of about 25 satellites.

The blue spiral was visible over much of Alaska due to the fuel dump timing and the fact that the launch was from the poles.

Another spiral was spotted in January, but this time it was over Hawaii's Big Island. A spiral galaxy was photographed by a camera at the top of Mauna Kea, outside the Subaru telescope of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. According to researchers, it came from the earlier launch of a military GPS satellite on a SpaceX rocket in Florida, USA Today reports.

Also Read: Sky Canvas: First Human-Made Multi-Colored Meteor Shower in 2025, Not Just for Display 

Nebulae, Twilight Phenomenon

In October 2019, when the same thing occurred, Quartz reported that some observers compared the scene to the sizable gas clouds known as nebulae that astronomers study in the far reaches of space. That's somewhat accurate because both are visible as a result of how starlight interacts with the chemicals when it passes through.

When Vandenberg Air Force Base launches aircraft on clear days shortly after dusk, viewers may see what is known as the "twilight phenomena."

The sun shines through them as well as the chemicals from the rocket's exhaust that freeze and float through the atmosphere like clouds. The sun shines through them as well as the chemicals from the rocket's exhaust that freeze and float through the atmosphere like clouds.

Related Article: Weird Blue Spiral Spotted in Hawaii Night Sky, Japan Observatory Explains Mysterious Sighting