SpaceX Rocket Creates Glowing Jellyfish In California Night Sky During Starlink Launch

Video filmed by X user Queenvictoria shows a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket creating a glowing “jellyfish” exhaust plume during a Starlink mission launch on April 22, 2026.

The nighttime footage captures a bright blue-white formation stretching across the dark sky. The elongated plume features a pointed, brighter head on the left, formed by the second-stage engine exhaust, widening into a fainter, cloud-like tail extending to the right.

The formation slowly drifts and expands, while small points of light appear above it against the deep navy sky. Trees appear in silhouette on both sides as the scene remains centered.

This effect occurred during a Starlink launch, identified as Group 17-14 or a similar mission, which lifted off at approximately 8:23 PM PDT. Twilight conditions allowed sunlight to illuminate exhaust particles and frozen vapor high in the atmosphere.

The result created the distinctive “space jellyfish” glow visible across much of the West Coast.