Most people hear the term “space jellyfish” and assume it probably has something to do with the animal in our oceans, but it’s actually a phenomenon that happens after some rocket launches.
Space jellyfish are typically seen in the sky following a SpaceX rocket launch.
This happens particularly during a Falcon 9 rocket launch, and it’s because the rocket’s engines expel water vapor and carbon dioxide, according to Space.com.
As the rocket climbs higher into the sky, the temperature drops and water vapor freezes quickly, forming ice crystals that trail behind the rocket.
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The result is a jellyfish-shaped plume that can be colorful, or just plain white, like in the photo above.
It’s all dependent on the timing of the launch.
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If the rocket launch happens around twilight, the effect can have a rainbow or iridescent-like appearance.
If it happens in the dark or during the daylight, it’s much less likely to be seen.
SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rockets quite frequently for its missions to get Starlink and other equipment into space.
Their primary launch locations are in California and Florida, and occur about every two to three days.
