Here is why a 'jellyfish cloud' appeared over Central Florida
SpaceX launch creates 'jellyfish' effect
Tuesday morning, a "jellyfish" in the sky gave people a thrill. It was created by a SpaceX rocket launch. FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - A SpaceX rocket launch created a visual "jellyfish cloud" in the sky above Central Florida early Tuesday morning.
Central Florida sky phenomenon
Big picture view:
Scientists at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa confirmed that the atmospheric cloud was caused by fuel exhaust from the early morning SpaceX launch out of Cape Canaveral. The engine exhaust particles traveled at least 30 miles above Earth's surface, where they crystallized and reflected sunlight before sunrise at 6:30 a.m.
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Atmospheric rocket fuel safety
Dig deeper:
Scientists note rocket fuel is mostly made up of elements already in the atmosphere, such as liquid hydrogen and oxygen.
Science behind morning launches
What they're saying:
Dr. Mackenna Wood, the head of the Saunders Planetarium at MOSI, said the phenomenon happens because sunlight hits the high-altitude cloud while the ground remains in darkness.
"Because it's so high up compared to where we are, this really only happens when we have rocket launches like the one this morning just before dawn," Wood said, adding that what people saw is not likely pollution.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Dr. Mackenna Wood, the head of the Saunders Planetarium at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, as well as official statements on the SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral.