Glowing spiral in UK sky stuns onlookers

A giant glowing spiral appeared in the night sky over parts of the UK on Monday, leaving people amazed and confused. The bright swirl was visible for several minutes before fading away. Many who saw it wondered if it was a UFO or some rare atmospheric event. (Photo: X/DasPete)

Experts believe the spiral was caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Florida, USA. The reusable rocket took off at 13:50 local time (17:50 GMT) on a classified US government mission. (Photo: X/arva61138)

According to a BBC report, when Falcon 9 completes its mission, it ejects leftover fuel before returning to Earth. This fuel instantly freezes due to the high altitude. As the rocket moves, it creates a spiral pattern in the sky. Sunlight reflecting off the frozen fuel makes it visible to people on the ground. (Photo: X/m0xdx)

The strange formation was spotted and photographed across England, Wales, and parts of Europe. Many people shared their images and videos online, adding to the mystery. (Photo: X/TDT_Pod)

Astronomers note that while such events are rare, it's not new for space missions to create unusual visuals in the sky. (Photo: X/@StephenLL6149)

SpaceX later confirmed that the launch was for the US National Reconnaissance Office, though the mission details remain classified. The Kennedy Space Center also acknowledged the launch but did not share further information. (Photo: X/Paul7Law)