SpaceX reached a major milestone after launching the world’s most powerful rocket into orbit. However, thousands of viewers watching the live broadcast were left mesmerized by an unexpected spectacle.
Before Starship fully settled into its trajectory, sharp-eyed social media users spotted a strange glowing object trailing behind the vehicle in the pitch-black vacuum of space.
A ‘mothership’ in deep space
Roughly seven minutes and 55 seconds into the test flight, viewers zeroed in on a distinct, pale blue curved streak featuring a bright white tip. Within minutes, screenshots of the mystery object went viral across social platforms like X.
Hypnotized viewers immediately floated theories about extraterrestrial life. Some claimed the object resembled a massive alien mothership “bigger than a city,” while others wondered if it was the International Space Station.
Science vs sci-fi
Despite the frenzy, space enthusiasts and analysts quickly stepped in with grounded scientific explanations. Observers noted that the glowing plume was most likely residual gas released by the Super Heavy booster engine shutdown and separation.
As the gas expanded rapidly in the vacuum of space, sunlight reflected off the venting vapor, creating an uncanny illusion of an uncloaking cosmic structure.
