What were those clouds over Central Florida? Saturday’s SpaceX launch created weird clouds in the sky Dry air aloft, sun played a part in spectacular show
Photo Credit: gb4japan. Submitted via PinIT in the Pinpoint Weather App. (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Night launches are great in and of themselves, but every now and then launches just before sunrise provide an extra treat for spectators. If you were up early Saturday to see SpaceX launch another round of Starlink satellites you may have seen the brilliant display in the sky shortly after.
Photo submitted to PinIt by AHanley
Photo Credit: gb4japan. Submitted via PinIT in the Pinpoint Weather App.
Photo Credit: Travis
Photo Credit: grtlf82
Photo Credit: Titilynn
Photo submitted to PinIt by AHanley
Click here to view photo gallery on News 6 app
The clouds are created like the contrails you see leftover from jet aircraft as they fly through cold, dry air aloft. In this case, the trail of exhaust left by burning rocket fuel passed through an area of cold, dry air and quickly froze in the conditions. The sun was still below the horizon for the 5:21 a.m. launch, but as the Falcon 9 rocket got higher in the sky, the sun’s rays were able to reflect off the frozen exhaust.
The sun reflecting off of the ice crystals illuminated the cloud above while the surface was still in darkness.
Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.
About the Author Jonathan Kegges headshot
Jonathan Kegges joined the News 6 team in June 2019 and now covers weather on TV and all digital platforms.
We're tracked down where the most mail was reported stolen in Central Florida. What you need to know ▶ 0:32
We're tracked down where the most mail was reported stolen in Central Florida. What you need to know
Someone stole hot dogs, more from ESE program at Volusia County high school ▶ 0:51
Someone stole hot dogs, more from ESE program at Volusia County high school
Sanford fundraiser to help Sloth World sloths to 'hang in there' ▶ 0:43
Sanford fundraiser to help Sloth World sloths to 'hang in there'
Florida Sheriff ROASTS Suspects in Viral Undercover Sting ▶ 1:07
Florida Sheriff ROASTS Suspects in Viral Undercover Sting
Kodak Black seen walking out of a Florida jail on Thursday night after drug arrest ▶ 0:43
Kodak Black seen walking out of a Florida jail on Thursday night after drug arrest
Inside Orlando’s strangest property and its long-awaited future ▶ 1:23
Inside Orlando’s strangest property and its long-awaited future
Florida requires heart screenings for student athletes ▶ 0:51
Florida requires heart screenings for student athletes
Hottest weather in 100 days arrives in Central Florida. Here’s who could be breaking records ▶ 1:26
Hottest weather in 100 days arrives in Central Florida. Here’s who could be breaking records
WOW! drops subcontractor, promises new oversight after repeated Longwood water main breaks ▶ 0:45
WOW! drops subcontractor, promises new oversight after repeated Longwood water main breaks
Florida families caring for medically fragile children say system is failing them ▶ 0:48
Florida families caring for medically fragile children say system is failing them
Gunman cased Disney, other targets before Pulse 10 years ago ▶ 2:02
Gunman cased Disney, other targets before Pulse 10 years ago
Video shows Orange County deputy running driver off road near Walt Disney World ▶ 0:46
Video shows Orange County deputy running driver off road near Walt Disney World
Facebook hacker puts Florida woman’s face on fake hospital photo ▶ 0:30
Facebook hacker puts Florida woman’s face on fake hospital photo
Criminal investigation considered as Sloth World sloths continue to recover ▶ 1:00
Criminal investigation considered as Sloth World sloths continue to recover
Deltona High School tests emergency-response drones on campus ▶ 0:49
Deltona High School tests emergency-response drones on campus
Scorching heat, severe storms to sweep Central Florida. Here’s the weather whiplash timeline ▶ 1:16
Scorching heat, severe storms to sweep Central Florida. Here’s the weather whiplash timeline
Crowds line up to see President Trump in The Villages ▶ 0:40
Crowds line up to see President Trump in The Villages
Florida executes James Hitchcock for murder in Orange County ▶ 1:12
Florida executes James Hitchcock for murder in Orange County
Florida appeals court refuses to free lawyer jailed for contempt in HOA battle ▶ 1:20
Florida appeals court refuses to free lawyer jailed for contempt in HOA battle
Media will witness the execution of James Hitchcock in Florida tonight ▶ 0:53
Media will witness the execution of James Hitchcock in Florida tonight
Central Florida cancer patient loses thousands to online puppy con tied to fake delivery company ▶ 0:35
Central Florida cancer patient loses thousands to online puppy con tied to fake delivery company
What to know about the execution of James Hitchcock tonight in Florida ▶ 1:39
What to know about the execution of James Hitchcock tonight in Florida
Why rip currents at the beaches are dangerous and how to escape one ▶ 0:44
Why rip currents at the beaches are dangerous and how to escape one
Orlando Magic go ice-cold as Pistons rally from 24 down to force Game 7 ▶ 0:32
Orlando Magic go ice-cold as Pistons rally from 24 down to force Game 7
Lower water levels at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. Where is the water low near you? ▶ 0:38
Lower water levels at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. Where is the water low near you?
Previous photo Next photo
