Residents across Iowa were left puzzled when a bright and unusual light streaked across the night sky earlier this week. The dazzling display sparked speculation about UFOs, meteor showers, or other unexplained cosmic events.
What Did People See?
Eyewitnesses described the light as strange and unlike any typical aircraft or natural phenomenon. Many grabbed their phones to record the spectacle, sharing videos and photos that quickly spread across social media.
Astronomer Clears the Air
Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell explained that the mysterious glow was actually the upper stage of an Ariane 6 rocket, launched earlier that evening from South America. As the rocket traveled along a polar orbit, it vented excess fuel, creating a glowing spiral in the sky. Sunlight reflecting off the exhaust plume gave the appearance of a shimmering, otherworldly light visible for hundreds of miles.
Similar sightings were reported in nearby states, all traced back to the same Ariane 6 launch. The unique viewing angle over the Midwest made the event especially vivid and unusual.
Science, Not Science Fiction
While it may have looked like something out of a sci-fi film, the phenomenon was a predictable and harmless side effect of modern spaceflight. It served as a reminder of how human technology can create stunning sights in the sky—sometimes making Earth’s own orbit look just as mysterious as deep space.
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