Did you spot a mysterious glowing spiral above the Harrogate district last night?
Residents took to social media to share their photos of an apparent 'glowing spiral' that appeared in the sky yesterday (Monday).
The cloud-like spiral was seen by stargazers across the UK and Ireland, as well as in Denmark, Italy and Poland.
It was visible for several minutes before fading.
Was it an extra-terrestrial phenomenon as some are suggesting? Not quite, according to the Met Office.
They took to social media platform X (Twitter) to clear up that the spiral was likely caused by frozen exhaust smoke from Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
A spokesperson for Met Office said:
“This is likely to be caused by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched earlier today.
“The rocket's frozen exhaust plume appears to be spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the sunlight, causing it to appear as a spiral in the sky.”
These spirals form and are visible when ejected rocket fuel from the Falcon 9 gets frozen in space, before reflecting sunlight back towards Earth.

Harrogate-based Sporting Influence Foundation to tackle 24 climbs in 24 hours
Giant vegetables take centre stage at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
Alpamare waterpark to be sold to 'protect its future' with private investment
Roadworks causing growing disruption in Harrogate and Knaresborough, officials admit
Yorkshire artist brings Harrogate's Old Market Hall back to life
Martin House hosts first children's palliative care conference
Judge appointed to lead inquiry into North Yorkshire mental health trust
Harrogate group raise more than £40,000 with cycle to Bordeaux
Scotton pub wins Tripadvisor award for seventh year running
Almost 2,000 people sign Knaresborough landslip petition
Police appeal after Range Rover damaged in Knaresborough
St Aidan's teacher recognised at national Teacher of the Year Awards
Bramham Park to host its first Christmas market
Harvest gown unveiled for flower show's 50th anniversary
Ripon's Mario's Restaurant named among Tripadvisor's top 10%
Harrogate Rugby Club reveals plans for clubhouse expansion and padel courts
Police appeal after Lister House minibus vandalised in Ripon
Council urged to "show me the money" and provide evidence of home-to-school policy change savings
Kate Mosse and Prue Leith among stars of Harrogate Literature Festival
Ripon among UK's top cities for missing parcels


