The bloom of exhaust that blossomed in Southern California’s skies during Friday evening’s liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket sparked jokes and jitters — with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk joining in.
Was it an alien visitation? A North Korean rocket attack? A stunt involving Santa’s sleigh?
Folks who were following the launch of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base at sunset knew full well what it was: a rocket booster’s contrail, catching the last rays of sunlight high above the California coast.
But for a while there, it was a mystery to unaware residents in Los Angeles, San Diego and locales in between. Such displays, including the infamous “Norway Spiral” of 2009, often spark UFO reports. Here’s a sampling from Twitter showing how Friday’s UFO sighting played out:
Vey impressive photos of #SpaceXRocket launch on December 22, 2017 #spacexlaunch, #SpaceX, #NASA, #space pic.twitter.com/D88g73D6kK
— HGR Science Explorer (@HGRHscie) December 23, 2017
Here's my video of tonight's @SpaceX launch as it shot over SoCal, compressed to 20 seconds. Such a great sight to see. #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/VHbNeMDT8N
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) December 23, 2017
Signs of intelligent life? Witnesses wondered if they were seeing aliens after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket moved across the sky. Read more: https://t.co/bzaZjxJ2cJ pic.twitter.com/4wh9S2z8v0
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 23, 2017
I….did not enjoy seeing this when I went outside just now. I don’t know what it is. pic.twitter.com/i85QSaBE8E
— Heather & Jessica (@fuggirls) December 23, 2017
What is this in the sky? pic.twitter.com/pjcp2MlH4v
— will.i.am (@iamwill) December 23, 2017
Nuclear alien UFO from North Korea pic.twitter.com/GUIHpKkkp5
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2017
Expert Weighs in on SpaceX Launch Widely Seen Across SoCal https://t.co/fbegV1xA6g pic.twitter.com/qeiS4UJGYH
— KTLA (@KTLA) December 23, 2017
Don't fall for the Deep State's War of the Worlds sideshow to distract from The Storm!
They're desperate! ? #spaceX #followthewhiterabbit ?
— LIZ THE?IS HERE‼️? (@LizCrokin) December 23, 2017
Big thanks to @elonmusk and @SpaceX for the hilarious alien debate that ensued between my family once we saw your rocket in the sky tonight
— Max Power (@CristatoLive) December 23, 2017
It was definitely aliens
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2017
You are finally admitting you're an alien?
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) December 23, 2017
Isn’t it obvious?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2017
If you liked tonight’s launch, you will really like Falcon Heavy next month: 3 rocket cores & 3X thrust. 2 cores return to base doing synchronized aerobatics. 3rd lands on droneship.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2017
People freaking out about what turned out to be a SpaceX launch while collectively shrugging over the Pentagon releasing footage and actually suggesting there are real UFOs is so 2017.
— Jay Kuo (@nycjayjay) December 23, 2017
Update for 1:35 p.m. PT Dec. 23: Here’s a particularly nice video from SpaceX engineer Scott Gauer, posted on Facebook:
Update for 1:50 p.m. Dec. 26: This dashcam video shows a three-car pile-up taking place on a Southern California freeway when drivers got distracted by the launch spectacle. It’s a good reminder for drivers to keep their eyes on the road, even if it looks as if aliens are attacking. For more about the accident, check out the reports from KABC and Jalopnik.
