Unraveling the Mystery of Alaska's Glowing Spiral in the Sky

A strange and bright spiral appeared in the northern lights over Alaska on Saturday, which was later identified as rocket engine exhaust from a SpaceX Transporter-7 mission that launched on the Falcon 9 about three hours earlier in California. The phenomenon was caused by water vapor in the exhaust from the second stage engine freezing and catching high-altitude sunlight, creating a spiral galaxy-like display. Local photographers were initially bewildered by the sight but later enjoyed the feeling of the unknown.