Late Friday night, many Alaskans witnessed a strange spiral moving through the sky, which some likened to an alien spaceship or a portal to an alternate universe. However, the truth was far less mysterious. Many on social media speculated that it was rocket exhaust, which was confirmed by Space Physicist Don Hampton, a research associate professor at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.
According to Hampton, the phenomenon was likely caused by the SpaceX Transporter-7 mission, which launched on the Falcon 9 about three hours earlier in California. As the rocket gained altitude, water vapor in the exhaust from the second stage engine froze and caught high-altitude sunlight, creating the spiral galaxy of a display that many Alaskans witnessed. The payload on the rocket was 51 satellites, which were on their way to orbit.
Despite the explanation, the sight was still eerie and amazing, and a brilliant aurora only added to the spectacle. As the rocket did a pass-by over Alaska, it stunned many night-watchers, creating a moment that will undoubtedly be remembered for some time. While some may have been disappointed that the phenomenon wasn't an alien spaceship or a portal to another dimension, it was still an incredible sight and a testament to the amazing feats that modern technology can accomplish.
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