FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS OUT THERE TODAY. AND WITH THE RAIN, CHANCES ALSO COMES THE HEAT WHICH WILL GET TO. BUT I WANT TO SHARE A COUPLE MORE PICTURES THAT WE’VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF REPORTS AND PHOTOS FROM YOU INTO THE NEWSROOM HERE OF THIS INTERESTING FORMATION. YOU CAN SEE THIS IS FROM MARY LOU GARDNER. WE’VE GOT GLOWING CLOUD OVER PARTS OF THE GULF COAST AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT A FEW MINUTES AGO, THIS WAS EXHAUST AND IT’S ALSO CALLED AND NOT TO LOOSEN. CLOUD IS BEING PRODUCED BY THE FALCON 9 ROCKET LAUNCHED INTO SET LEFTOVER EXHAUST THAT’S GETTING ELIMINATED BY THE SUN BECAUSE IT’S SO HIGH UP INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. THIS IS ANOTHER PICTURE TAKEN FROM CLEWISTON FROM JAMIE WOOD. SO IF YOU HAVE ANY PICTURES YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US, POLICE GET THOSE INTO. THIS IS PRETTY COOL TO SEE, ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAD WHAT WAS GOING ON, MAYBE A LITTLE FRIGHTENING. WE’VE HA
SpaceX rocket creates ‘Space Jellyfish’ phenomenon during Florida launch
Updated: 4:35 PM EST Mar 4, 2026
A glowing cloud lit up the sky above the Gulf Coast early Wednesday morning. The phenomenon, known as a “space jellyfish,” was the result of an early morning rocket launch on the other side of the state. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched at 5:52 a.m. from Cape Canaveral, carrying 29 Starlink satellites. The cloud was spotted minutes later.The “space jellyfish,” or “noctilucent clouds,” phenomenon happens when rocket launches occur close to sunrise or sunset. When the rocket reaches a high altitude, it’s exposed to direct sunlight while it’s still dark on the ground. Sunlight then refracts through the rocket’s exhaust fumes, creating the glowing effect.Wednesday morning’s SpaceX launch was a success, with the rocket’s first-stage booster safely landing on board a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
A glowing cloud lit up the sky above the Gulf Coast early Wednesday morning.
The phenomenon, known as a “space jellyfish,” was the result of an early morning rocket launch on the other side of the state.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched at 5:52 a.m. from Cape Canaveral, carrying 29 Starlink satellites. The cloud was spotted minutes later.
The “space jellyfish,” or “noctilucent clouds,” phenomenon happens when rocket launches occur close to sunrise or sunset. When the rocket reaches a high altitude, it’s exposed to direct sunlight while it’s still dark on the ground. Sunlight then refracts through the rocket’s exhaust fumes, creating the glowing effect.
Wednesday morning’s SpaceX launch was a success, with the rocket’s first-stage booster safely landing on board a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
