A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch generated a visible 'jellyfish' cloud over Merritt Island, Florida, on Tuesday. The phenomenon, described by residents as a glowing, jellyfish-shaped plume, was visible for several minutes after the rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Local resident Karen Thompson said she saw the cloud from her home on the western end of Merritt Island. 'It looked like a giant jellyfish floating in the sky,' she said. 'I’ve never seen anything like it before.'
The 'jellyfish' effect occurs when the rocket’s exhaust interacts with atmospheric conditions, creating a luminous, trailing cloud. SpaceX did not comment on the specific event, but such occurrences are not uncommon during launches. The Falcon 9 rocket, which launched a batch of Starlink satellites, reached space before the cloud formed. The mission marked the 10th Starlink launch of the year from the Space Coast.
Merritt Island is a common observation point for rocket launches due to its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. The area has seen increased activity in recent months as SpaceX ramps up Starlink deployments. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, no wildlife was harmed during the launch.
The 'jellyfish' cloud dissipated within 20 minutes, according to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center website. Similar plumes have been reported during previous Falcon 9 launches, though their visibility depends on weather conditions and the rocket’s trajectory. SpaceX’s next launch is scheduled for Friday, though details about its payload have not been disclosed.