If you were up early on 21 April, you might have caught more than the sunrise. A strange glowing cloud appeared over Florida’s sky — not a nebula from space, but something much closer to home.
Rocket burn paints early sky with colour
Just before dawn, SpaceX launched its 32nd supply mission to the International Space Station. The uncrewed Dragon spacecraft lifted off from Kennedy Space Center. A Falcon 9 rocket carried it through the atmosphere as part of the CRS-32 mission.
After lift-off, the rocket’s first stage detached from the second. Still high above Earth, it performed a “boostback” burn. This changed its direction, turning it around from the Atlantic Ocean back toward the launch site.
That engine burn caused something special in the sky. The plume of exhaust created a stunning, colourful glow, similar to what we see in space nebulae. This “space art” hung over the sky briefly before fading.
Another return, another celestial display
The booster stage then landed safely at Cape Canaveral’s Landing Zone. It returned just a short distance from where it had launched.
This glowing display is not a rare event. It happens every time Falcon 9 rockets return to Cape Canaveral. But each glow, shaped by wind and light, looks unique.
Observers who spotted the CRS-32 return were treated to a spectacular sight. Though it only lasted moments, it reminded us that science can sometimes look a lot like magic.
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