This mysterious light spiral showed up in the night sky over many parts of the north on April 16.
Scientific researchers from several universities have said that this phenomenon was caused by unspent rocket fuel attributed to a SpaceX launch, and not to an alien invasion. 😉
If this is indeed the product of a SpaceX rocket, I find it very disturbing that Elon Musk’s company is dumping enough fuel into the atmosphere to be that visible from an estimated distance of three kilometres (1.9 miles).
Although this is an ongoing debate that’s tied up in politics and money, shouldn’t these space/satellite companies be held to the same account on pollutants as others? What do you think?
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 
I wonder if it has anything to do with the recent explosion. The nature of space travel in general speaks to exacting standards and nothing left to chance like a large surplus quantity of excess fuel.
This is a very interesting image. Thanks for posting it.
You’re welcome. When I looked it up, this phenomenon occurred before the recent SpaceX explosion. Apparently, that explosion was partially anticipated as the launch was a “successful failure” and more or less required to move to the next step. Yes, exacting standards are very necessary, but these companies seem to have been given some sort of exemption, both for the fuel required and the experiments they’re doing.
The rocket blew up in its early stages so there could have been enough fuel that had not been used yet. And it’s so powerful a fuel that I imagine it wouldn’t take much to make a big visual impact.
I’d say of course those responsible should have to pay but how would one clean the atmosphere of something like that. The old saying “Dilution is the solution for pollution” might apply here. That said, I wouldn’t mind Musk getting a nice fine to add to his current self-inflicted miseries.
This phenomenon occurred before the recent SpaceX launch explosion, so it would be related to a different rocket, but possibly part of the same experimentation? It’s unclear, and there seems to be no explanation or accountability occurring. In any case, that rocket exploded during N. American daylight hours and this phenomenon occurred at 2 a.m. MDT.
My question is whether SpaceX has been exempted from environmental controls, or whether Musk is just doing whatever he wants, regardless. Agreed, everything I’ve read about him suggests that there’s likely more trouble coming for him.
A valid point, Lynette. Wealth should never allow any individual to behave irresponsibly in a way that impacts on the rest of us. As commercialism embraces space travel we appear to have a situation similar to the invasion of America by the early settlers, when many aspects of change went unchallenged. Lets’ hope the world authorities get a grip and start to impose some regulation before it all gets even more out of hand than it is already.
I agree that it’s out of hand and Musk is a bit of a scary dude (there are likely more just like him except they seem to be inclined to stay out of the public). I just read one of his interviews where he talked about how the world population should increase, so he clearly is other directed when it comes to what this planet can tolerate. But then again, he seems intent on leaving and spreading his mess to another planet. Maybe he’ll get lost. 😉
What a great thought, Musk getting lost!
Would be poetic justice.
That’s what my alarm clock looks like in the AM, before I put my glasses on. Seriously though, if the rocket fuel disperses that far away from the launch site, it does not bode well for the planet. I know that airplanes dump fuel to prepare for an emergency landing, but the volume is far less than the Space-X dump. Musk should not be given a free pass on his successful??? experiments. Have a good Monday Lynette. Allan
Hahaha. 😁 That’s about right for me, too. Aircraft fuel dumping is very serious and is investigated by Transport Canada since the only reason for it is an emergency. The environmental damage caused by fuel dumping isn’t taken lightly, and exactly, it’s much less than what Musk is expelling. Agreed – I think this guy should be answering some questions, but it seems that he’s just allowed to do what he wants. It’s very concerning. Cheers.
An interesting point, Lynette.
Thank you very much, Sue. 🙂
It is an eerie image. You make some good points!
Thank you very much. It really does look like the aliens could be landing. 😉
I think you raise a very important point. Musk and his company ought to be trying to use his platform to help solve issues we have on Earth (poverty, violence, racial inequity, abuse…) instead of trying to go to the moon. And yes, he should be held accountable. But money and power set the rules, don’t they?
Thank you very much, Carol. I agree, but he’s espousing the opposite. He recently stated that we need more population growth (apparently one of the reasons why he has ten children), and of course there’s his insistence on leaving the planet and spreading himself elsewhere. I don’t think he cares much about anything other than doing what he wants. It’s disturbing that he’s not being asked any questions. Thanks for your comment.
10 children! Yes, he wants to spread himself elsewhere and our garbage as well. He thinks that dumping our waste in space is a great idea, now that we’ve dumped it in the ocean.
Yes! 10! Apparently by three different women. Agreed, it looks like he will do what he wants and doesn’t care about the effect he will have on this planet.
Whoa. That’s spooky. Did you see it with your own eyes? Rockets have been sent into space for decades. If rocket fuel is an issue, shouldn’t we have been concerned about the others, too? I know Musk’s rockets are more powerful, but fuel is fuel. There are a lot of unanswered questions. I usually research a topic if I’m interested enough. This “sighting” in the sky would be difficult to research, but I’d be curious to hear Elon Musk’s answer. Until/unless I know the truth, I’ll remain neutral.
There have been many strange sightings in the skies these days. Back in February, there were mysterious green lines shooting down from the sky. They came up with an answer/excuse for that one as well. I don’t know wth is going on, but like I said, I’m leery to accept anything reported in media by “experts.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/mysterious-green-lights-in-the-sky-prompt-everyone-to-think-the-same-thing/ar-AA17hWeE
Many thanks for your comment, Lori. I saw it but wasn’t quick enough with the camera, so this photo isn’t mine. For a few seconds there, it felt like I was in an episode of Star Trek!
I am definitely concerned about all the rocket activity and what all that (possible?) fuel is doing to the atmosphere. Over the years rocket fuels have become much more efficient (a family member works for NASA and we have talked about it) and far less damaging, but the fact that we may be viewing fuel dumping from that distance means that it’s possibly a humongous amount, efficient or not. I completely agree that there are a lot of unknowns here, but no one seems to be asking either and Musk (or other rich rocket producers) aren’t volunteering any answers. It all seems to be so quiet and undercover. (Maybe it really is aliens. 😉)
Thanks for the link to that article. It certainly looks like a Matrix glitch! Agreed, sometimes we are fed a lot of pablum and told to believe that our elbow is a can of paint.
“Our elbow is a can of paint.” So true. Don’t believe your eyes. And if it’s a mysterious thing you’re viewing, believe what you’re told. 😒
Thanks, Lori.
This is more than disturbing. What I find even more sinister is this continued narrative of “If it were aliens they would invade and destroy”. It is more than clear, for decades now, that WE are hostile, not them.
Agreed. We are indeed a very hostile force, as history has repeatedly shown. Thanks for commenting.
The swirling spiral light looks very supernatural. But you’re right, it’s a bit unsettling to hear how it was created and raises a larger issue around accountability.
I have since found out that the US Federal Aviation Administration has shut down Musk’s test flights because of safety and environmental concerns; it’s likely that this night-sky spiral was caused by an earlier Musk launch (before the launch that exploded just after liftoff). After his latest rocket exploded, small chunks of debris covered a nearby town, and it’s unclear if this debris is toxic. Given the shortcuts Musk is taking and the lax safety controls, it’s probably not good to be exposed to that stuff. His launch site is also near protected land, so there’s fear that lots of animals may have been exposed to toxic elements as well.
Oh gosh, glad to hear that his test flights have been shut down. Hopefully he’ll get fined as well. But how do you even begin to put a price tag on the damage he’s already caused?
I was astonished to find out that he was allowed to go as long as he has been; about a year of these very unsafe launches. I agree – there’s no price tag in the damage he’s already done.
Of course they should (be held to account). But they probably won’t be.
Nope; no accountability. It seems that Musk in particular has free reign.