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Predawn Florida Skies Served up ‘Space Jellyfish’ From SpaceX Launch
The rocket’s exhaust expanded in sunlight and formed a glowing plume visible across much of Florida, officials and observers said.
- On Thursday, July 9, 2026, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 5:25 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, creating a "space jellyfish" effect visible across Florida's predawn skies.
- This phenomenon occurs when rocket exhaust plumes are illuminated by sunlight in the upper atmosphere while the ground remains dark, creating a glowing, bulb-shaped cloud with wispy, tentacle-like trails.
- The Starlink 10-42 mission used a Falcon 9 first-stage booster on a record-extending 36th flight, which successfully landed on the droneship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" downrange in the Atlantic.
- Blountstown fire chief Ben Hall told the Tallahassee Democrat, "That was one of the best launches I've seen!" as residents across Florida shared numerous photos and videos of the spectacle.
- SpaceX plans its next Florida launch for no earlier than 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, from Cape Canaveral, maintaining the company's frequent launch cadence from the Space Coast.
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Hanford Sentinel+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Predawn Florida skies served up ‘space jellyfish’ from SpaceX launch
ORLANDO, Fla. — A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch using a booster that has now flown three dozen times created a “space jellyfish” effect in the predawn skies over Florida on Thursday. The rocket lifted off at 5:25 a.m. from Cape…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 27%
C 64%
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