The evening sky supplied fortunate skywatchers an sudden double function on Could 17 — a shock geomagnetic storm and a mysterious white plume slicing by the auroras.
The average (G2 class) geomagnetic storm got here as fairly a shock, kicking off early Friday (Could 16) after Earth caught the glancing blow of a coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME was launched throughout a colossal filament eruption on May 12 from the solar’s northern hemisphere. Initially anticipated to overlook Earth, the “bird-wing” ejecta was wider than predicted, with a few of the materials hanging Earth 4 days after it left the sun.
However the true head-turner got here when a streak of shiny white mild lit up the sky over Colorado and different elements of the U.S. At first look, you may be mistaken for considering it was a wierd model of STEVE — a uncommon atmospheric phenomenon that may accompany the northern lights. However skywatchers shortly realized it was one thing totally completely different.
“The aurora was rippling low on the northern horizon when all of a sudden a shiny streak of sunshine, paying homage to a rocket re-entry, appeared excessive within the sky and flowed right down to the horizon,” photographer Mike Lewinski informed Spaceweather.com.
Lewinski captured your entire occasion unfolding within the skies above Crestone, Colorado.
The wrongdoer? A latest rocket launch. Roughly an hour earlier, Chinese language firm Panorama had launched its Zhuque-2E methane-fueled rocket from Website 96 on the Jiuquan Satellite tv for pc Launch Heart (JSLC), in China. It carried six satellites into orbit, together with a radar spacecraft and area science payload. The streak was doubtless from a de-orbit or circularization burn, probably associated to satellite tv for pc deployment, based on Spaceweather.com.
Astronomer Jonathan McDowell took to X to substantiate that the white streak of sunshine was the results of the Zhuque-2 higher stage passing over the U.S. 4 Corners space. McDowell additional explained that the white streak was attributable to the gasoline dump from the higher stage at about 155 miles (250 kilometers) altitude.
TLEs affirm the Zhuque-2 higher stage handed over the US 4 Corners space at 0525 UTC Could 17 and is the supply of the bizarre luminous cloud seen by many observers.May 17, 2025
Aurora photographer Derick Wilson additionally captured the brilliant white streak above Farmington, New Mexico.
“The #aurora was visible however colorless… then the brightest sight I’ve ever seen within the evening sky appeared overhead!” Wilson wrote in a post on X.
Round 1130pm MST Could 16 north of Farmington New Mexico 38N, I used to be hyperlapsing with a Galaxy S24 extremely. The #aurora was visible however colorless… then the brightest sight I’ve ever seen within the evening sky appeared overhead! #northernlights #auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/6lXJsiwHwHMay 17, 2025
Photographer Tyler Schlitt captured the white plume from southern Kansas, U.S. Schlitt, like many, had initially thought STEVE had appeared. However quickly realized it was one thing totally completely different.
Simply noticed STEVE with my pals right here in Southern Kansas is 45 minutes north of Greensburg! #kswx @Vincent_Ledvina @evanjames_wx @TuckerWilliam88 @WickyDubs2 @AuroraNotify @spacewxwatch @TamithaSkov @AStormofPassion pic.twitter.com/LDzQPl1HAMMay 17, 2025
“Studying that it’s a rocket launch but once more from China is wild! One 12 months in the past and some day I noticed the identical factor and was uncertain however that one appear extra of a rocket dump this one fell extraordinarily shut,” Schlitt wrote in an X post comment.
It isn’t the primary time a rocket launch has left skywatchers scratching their heads. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, as an example, have created dazzling spiral patterns that swirl throughout the sky — unusual sights that usually spark confusion and awe, particularly for first-time viewers who would possibly mistake them for one thing really otherworldly.