Imagine this - on one fine evening, you decide to spend your time looking at the sky just admiring the beauty of it when out of nowhere, you spot a mysterious spiral floating. It would surely freak you out. But for scientists, there is always a logical explanation.
On 18th January, a Japanese Telescope captured a few images of what seemed like a flying blue whirlpool over the Hawaiian night sky. The Subaru Telescope's official Twitter released a statement that mentioned that the Subaru -Asahi Camera was able to capture a mysterious flying spiral that seems to be related to SpaceX's recent satellite launch.
Lucas/Pexels | Imagine if this viewer wasn't able to spot it, there would be no sighting recorded.
Making The Discovery
It all happened when the telescope, which is mounted at the top of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in Hawaii, caught a series of small white spheres which flew across the night sky. The spheres then move into a spiral formation, continues to travel into a ring shape, and then finally disappear.
Since The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan operates this telescope, they were able to capture the scene. However, it is important to note that the staff did not catch the happening. In fact, it was one of the Livestream viewers who was watching the Livestream on the Telescope's official YouTube channel. The viewer altered the staff and brought it to their attention.
SpaceX/Pexels | Must be a signature style for the SpaceX satellite launches.
SpaceX Launch
On the same day, SpaceX launched a global-positioning satellite, from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, at 7:24 am in medium orbit. The launch was made possible with the usage of the Falcon 9 rocket.
The reason why many people weren't too surprised by the whole situation is because of the fact that this is not the first time it has happened. In fact, SpaceX's previous launch in June resulted in the same mysterious spiral over New Zealand. This satellite was also launched from the Florida Space station. Another Satellite launch in April by SpaceX also resulted in the same formation which was also captured by the Subaru telescope. So, it's safe to say that this is definitely not the work of Aliens.
Cause Behind It?
Scientists have suggested that these formations, also called 'space jellyfish,' are caused by the leftover fuel which is vented out by the rocket. The gas expelled in high pressure becomes illuminated by the sunlight, and it develops shapes like the ones caught in the Subaru telescope's Live Stream. Up till now, there has been no official statement released by SpaceX confirming or denying the occurrence.
Spencer/Pexels | Let's be honest; it would have definitely freaked many people out.
It is so interesting how there are so many phenomena that are still new to us, despite going through centuries of advancement and developing an understanding of the universe.
