Blue Spiral in European Night Sky Linked to SpaceX Rocket Launch

The luminous phenomenon over France and Europe on March 24 was caused by excess fuel from a Falcon 9 rocket, a recurring effect of SpaceX missions.

A striking blue spiral appeared in the night sky over France and parts of Europe on March 24, 2025, around 9 PM local time, lasting approximately 20 minutes.
Experts confirmed the phenomenon was caused by excess fuel released from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched earlier that evening as part of the NROL-69 mission.
The spiral effect occurs when rocket fuel freezes and crystallizes at high altitudes, becoming illuminated by sunlight and visible from the ground in darkness.
Similar blue spirals have been observed during previous SpaceX launches in New Zealand (2022), Hawaii (January 2023), and Alaska (April 2023).
With the increasing frequency of SpaceX launches, such celestial displays are expected to become more common in the future.