{"id":334655,"date":"2026-07-09T18:04:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T18:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/334655\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T18:04:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T18:04:19","slug":"tallahassee-north-florida-residents-spot-spacex-jellyfish-again-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/334655\/","title":{"rendered":"Tallahassee, north Florida residents spot SpaceX ‘jellyfish’ again"},"content":{"rendered":"

Florida’s early risers were graced once again with a vibrant “space jellyfish”<\/a> billowing across the morning sky.<\/p>\n

On July 9 at 5:25 a.m., SpaceX launched a rocket that left behind a captivating contrail\u00a0for Tallahassee and north Florida residents to marvel over in the quiet of the morning.<\/p>\n

“That was one of the best launches I’ve seen!” Ben Hall, the Blountstown fire chief, told the Tallahassee Democrat. ” We regularly watch them from our yard.”<\/p>\n

The phenomenon occurs when a launch is illuminated by the sun hitting the rocket’s contrail \u2013 or plume of exhaust \u2013 while an observer is in relative local darkness, as previously reported<\/a>. This is the second time this year the Big Bend has been able to spot the sea creature-like effect.<\/p>\n

SpaceX launch brings ‘jellyfish’ to north Florida, Tallahassee skies<\/p>\n

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Ben Hall spotted a SpaceX contrail over Blountstown from the most recent rocket launch, July 9, 2026. “That was one of the best launches I’ve seen! We regularly watch them from our yard.”<\/p>\n

(Provided by Ben Hall)<\/p>\n

Thursday’s sighting over Tallahassee wasn’t the usual ‘fluffy’ jellyfish but probably the brightest I’ve ever seen!” Debbie Pujol Mortham told the Democrat. “Beautiful!”<\/p>\n

When was the Florida rocket launch?<\/p>\n

Liftoff occurred at 5:25 a.m. Thursday from\u00a0Launch Complex 40<\/a>\u00a0at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, known as Starlink 10-42, featured a\u00a0Falcon 9 rocket<\/a>\u00a0carrying the latest batch of 29 Starlink internet satellites to orbit. \u00a0<\/p>\n

It was also a record-breaking launch for SpaceX, as this Falcon 9 first-stage booster saw its\u00a036th launch and landing<\/a>. It remains to be seen how many flights the company will obtain from this fleet-leading booster.<\/p>\n

When is the next rocket launch from Florida?<\/p>\n

The next launch from Florida is set for no earlier than 3:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Expect to see a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch on another Starlink mission.<\/p>\n

If needed, the July 14 launch window extends until 7:15 a.m.<\/p>\n

Will there be another SpaceX ‘jellyfish’ sighting?<\/p>\n

The timing has to be just right for the plume to catch and reflect the rays of light, making this a rare delight.<\/p>\n

While rocket launches along the Space Coast aren’t uncommon, catching the “jellyfish” wonder is. The effect is most likely to be seen when rocket launches occur at dusk or dawn.<\/p>\n

\u25b6SHOW US YOUR BEST SHOT:\u00a0If you caught a good photo of the “jellyfish effect,” share them with us at\u00a0 news@tallahassee.com<\/a>\u00a0and we’ll share them with the community. Please include your name and where you took the photo in the email.<\/p>\n

Florida Today Space Reporter Brooke Edwards contributed to this report. Elena Barrera\u00a0can be reached at\u00a0ebarrera@tallahassee.com<\/a>. Follow her on X:\u00a0@elenabarreraaa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee, north Florida residents spot SpaceX ‘jellyfish’ again<\/a><\/p>\n