Rare Spiral Halo Captured in the Skies Over Hungary 🌌✨
A stunning and rare celestial phenomenon recently unfolded in the skies over Hungary, captivating observers with a mesmerizing spiral halo. This striking display was caused by the deorbiting of the second stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which crossed half of Europe after being launched into orbit at 17:48 UTC from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
As the second stage of Falcon 9 re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, the rocket released fuel at high altitudes. The rapid cooling of the released fuel combined with water vapor in the atmosphere, forming tiny ice crystals.
These ice crystals, reflecting sunlight at the right angle, created the dazzling spiral pattern that could be seen from the ground below. The halo’s spiral shape is a rare and unique atmospheric phenomenon, occurring when frozen fuel interacts with the surrounding water vapor in the upper atmosphere, forming intricate patterns as sunlight reflects off the particles.
This spectacular light show crossed multiple countries in Europe, leaving skywatchers in awe as they witnessed a rare glimpse of the interaction between human-made technology and Earth’s natural atmosphere.
Such phenomena are often brief but incredibly beautiful, and they serve as a reminder of the extraordinary effects space exploration can have on our environment. It also highlights the vast reach of modern rocket launches and the ways they interact with the Earth’s atmosphere at high altitudes.
While these spiral halos are not common, they have been observed before after rocket launches, particularly from stages like SpaceX’s Falcon 9. However, their exact appearance can vary based on several factors, including altitude, atmospheric conditions, and the type of fuel used.
This particular event stands out for its vivid and expansive appearance, as it crossed over a significant portion of Europe.
For those lucky enough to witness this stunning display, it was an unforgettable experience. These rare occurrences remind us of the beauty and wonder of space exploration, as well as the unexpected and awe-inspiring visuals that can be created when science, technology, and nature come together in such a spectacular way.
Foto credit: Extrém időjárás- Észlelések