Cape Canaveral, FL - A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch created stunning noctilucent clouds over Central Florida, dazzling residents with glowing ice crystal formations in the pre-dawn sky.
In the early hours of December 4, 2024, Central Florida residents were captivated by luminous clouds illuminating the pre-dawn sky.
The mesmerizing display resulted from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Space Station at 5:13 a.m.
The phenomenon, known as "noctilucent clouds," occurs when water vapor in the rocket's exhaust freezes into tiny ice crystals at high altitudes.
These ice crystals, suspended in the frigid upper atmosphere where temperatures plummet to around -180 degrees Fahrenheit, reflect sunlight from below the horizon, creating the appearance of glowing clouds against the dark sky.
Noctilucent clouds form approximately 50 miles above Earth's surface, making them visible from up to 500 miles away under favorable conditions.
Their brightness stems from catching the sun's rays before sunrise or after sunset, causing them to stand out vividly against the night sky.
While natural noctilucent clouds are rare across the United States, Central Florida frequently experiences them due to pre-dawn rocket launches from the Space Coast.
These events offer residents and sky enthusiasts unique opportunities to witness such ethereal spectacles.