Unbelievable White Streak Surprises Viewers During Stunning U.S. Aurora Display!

On the night of May 17, skywatchers across parts of the U.S. were treated to a stunning display of auroras thanks to a geomagnetic storm. Just when they thought they had seen it all, a striking white streak appeared in the sky, leaving many curious about its origin.

On the following evening, areas like Colorado experienced bands of green, blue, and red lights. This spectacular event was linked to powerful solar flares and a coronal mass ejection (CME) that happened days earlier. Originally, the CME was expected to bypass Earth, but a sliver of it nudged our planet’s magnetic field, triggering the storm.

Around 11:30 p.m. MT, observers noticed the bright white streak. Confusion spread on social media as folks speculated about its nature. Some thought it might be a rare phenomenon known as STEVE—an unusual band of purple and green light often seen near auroras. STEVE is also related to space weather but is a distinct occurrence.

Photographer Mike Lewinski captured beautiful long-exposure shots of the scene in Crestone, Colorado. “The aurora was shimmering low on the northern horizon when suddenly a bright streak of light, almost like a rocket re-entry, appeared high in the sky,” he shared with Spaceweather.com.

But it turned out the mystery was simply a result of a recent rocket launch. Just before the streak lit up the sky, the Chinese company Landscape launched its Zhuque-2E rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carrying six satellites into orbit. The white streak was linked to the rocket’s reentry maneuver.

Astronomer Jonathan McDowell commented on social media that the streak likely stemmed from the rocket’s upper stage passing over the U.S., with a possible fuel dump occurring at an altitude of 155 miles (250 kilometers) over the Four Corners region.

Rocket launches have often left people mystified, with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets causing spiraling patterns that captivated onlookers. As more rockets take to the skies, we can expect even more fascinating phenomena in our night sky.

Interestingly, a recent survey showed that 62% of Americans find skywatching to be a source of joy and relaxation, highlighting the growing interest in astronomical events. These celestial displays not only spark our curiosity but also offer a moment of wonder and connection to the universe.

For those intrigued by space phenomena, NASA and other reputable organizations provide regular updates on solar activity and related events. Keeping an eye on these developments can enhance the experience of observing our ever-changing sky.



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aurora,geomagnetic storms,rocket launches,sky watching,Space weather