And social media across the globe was filled with posts of aliens, and end of days with UFO filled skies.
An iridescent streak lit up the sky over Southern California on Friday night, stopping traffic and leading some residents to marvel and others to worry about a UFO or even a nuclear bomb attack. In reality, it was a SpaceX rocket lifting off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, north of Santa Barbara, Calif., carrying 10 satellites for the Iridium constellation. They will be used in mobile voice and data communications.
In a bid to ease the minds of worried witnesses, the Los Angeles Fire Department released a statement saying the “mysterious light in the sky is reported to be the result of [Vandenberg] Air Force Base launching rocket to put satellite into space.”
But SpaceX CEO Elon Musk didn’t help matters when he tweeted, “Nuclear alien UFO from North Korea.”
Nuclear alien UFO from North Korea pic.twitter.com/GUIHpKkkp5
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2017
The glowing contrail could be seen as far away as Phoenix, reports The Associated Press, but social media sent the pics around the globe.
Check out the collection below:
Here's a better look at tonight's Falcon 9 rocket launch as viewed over downtown Phoenix. #falcon9 #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/5SKFjuKqyZ
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— John Sirlin (@SirlinJohn) December 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/HGRHscie/status/944606280911486981
Amazing shot of the #SpaceX launch over my hometown evening sky. No folks, it wasn’t a UFO. Just pure awesomeness! pic.twitter.com/ryPb7L7Qsw
— Jovany Gaspar (@Jovany_Gaspar) December 23, 2017
#SpaceX satellite-booster separation under crescent moon in view from Taft pic.twitter.com/JZcSPYhble
— Midway Driller (@Midwaydriller) December 23, 2017
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