New Jersey residents were surprised Tuesday night by a mysterious white spiral spinning across the sky.
Observers described the formation as a boomerang, dogbone, or slowly rotating spiral, sharing photos and videos on social media. Officials said the phenomenon was most likely a frozen plume of rocket fuel from a high-altitude launch, reflecting sunlight and creating the glowing, spinning effect. The spiral appeared hours after Europe’s Arianne 6 rocket launched from French Guiana, though a direct link has not been confirmed.
The sighting coincided with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, active from July 17 through Aug. 23. During the peak Tuesday night, observers in New Jersey could see dozens of shooting stars per hour after midnight.
The combination of fast-moving meteors and the slow, glowing spiral drew attention from casual skywatchers and amateur astronomers alike. The unusual display prompted speculation online, with some initially unsure what they were witnessing.
High-altitude rocket plumes like this can form spirals or glowing clouds as fuel expands and freezes in the thin atmosphere and catches sunlight. Such displays are temporary, often disappearing within minutes, but they can create dramatic and striking visuals.
Tuesday night offered New Jersey residents a rare mix of natural and unexplained phenomena. The Perseids provided familiar streaks of light, while the mysterious spiral added a surprising and memorable element to the night sky.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.