Any idea what this is?

https://v.redd.it/ggv6ol8xdlad1

created by NeillDrake on 05/07/2024 at 00:09 UTC

5318 upvotes, 256 top-level comments (showing 25)

This was spotted at 7:48pm at 46°17'09.117" S 71°59'08.142" W No SpaceX near us in the Southern Hemisphere.

Comments

Comment by theanedditor at 05/07/2024 at 00:23 UTC

1764 upvotes, 27 direct replies

Here you go OP!

[A] Space Monster

[B] UFO

[C] Rocket Exhaust

[D] It's ALWAYS Rocket Exhaust

Comment by JotaRata at 05/07/2024 at 00:16 UTC

328 upvotes, 3 direct replies

Rocket launch

Comment by jjayzx at 05/07/2024 at 00:45 UTC

159 upvotes, 3 direct replies

Geez people, it was a launch by Firefly. FLTA005 Noise of Summer

Comment by CosmicRuin at 05/07/2024 at 00:26 UTC

50 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Looks to be a second stage rocket firing, I'm almost certain of that. When was this recorded (date) and how far are you from Kourou, French Guiana?

Comment by bradmichelbach at 05/07/2024 at 02:42 UTC

10 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Likely Firefly Alpha FLTA005 Stage 2 "passivation".

You mentioned it was flying South to North. This vehicle had launched to Sun Synchronous Orbit, which effectively flys between both poles and is visible everywhere on Earth.

Passivation is when a stage depletes it's stored energy at End-of-Mission so it reduces the risk of fragmenting and creating space debris. Likely a depletion burn and/or venting and the gas being illuminated by the setting Sun.

Comment by Ramdak at 05/07/2024 at 02:19 UTC

8 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Most likely to be some the second stage of the launch people are saying. Keep in mind that up there in orbit the exhaust plumes just propagate without resistance and expand very far, and also keeps the momentum of the orbit too. What you see is part of this exhausted material lit by the sun. Also the burn could have been done long time ago.

Comment by will7980 at 05/07/2024 at 00:59 UTC

25 upvotes, 1 direct replies

It's a Romulan War Bird, uncloaking in the upper atmosphere.

Comment by puffferfish at 05/07/2024 at 00:36 UTC

14 upvotes, 2 direct replies

It’s a Chinese static fire test.

Comment by rockstuffs at 05/07/2024 at 02:06 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Great shot!!!

Comment by zwermp at 05/07/2024 at 00:33 UTC

13 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Santa.