Those who get up early Tuesday morning may have another chance to spot a space jellyfish, the bright, expanding cloud of rocket exhaust that can turn a routine launch into an extraordinary sight in the predawn sky. SpaceX is targeting 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, for the launch of its Bandwagon-5 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The rocket launch was initially scheduled for Monday morning, but had to be delayed due to bad weather. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch the rideshare mission containing multiple satellites into orbit, and the timing could be favorable to create an illuminated exhaust plume visible hundreds of miles from the launch site. The visualization is possible because the rocket will ascend into sunlight about 3 minutes after launch while the ground below remains dark. The chances are better the earlier the liftoff occurs in the 6:30 to 7:30 launch window. At 7 a.m., the sky will be too bright before the 7:24 a.m. sunrise in Raleigh. A different trajectory than last week’s spectacular display Last week’s SpaceX launch was visible from Alabama to Maryland and Tennessee as the rocket’s northeastern trajectory carried the expanding plume toward the Atlantic coast. Tuesday’s launch will follow a different path. The Bandwagon-5 mission is expected to travel southeast from Florida, providing the best show for the Caribbean and Central and South Floridians. While this different path means North Carolina observers shouldn’t expect a repeat of last week’s show, it may still be visible, lower in the sky and less prominent. Falcon 9 rocket launch, ascent and booster return sequence (© Courtesy of SpaceX) Where to look An unobstructed view of the southeastern sky is best. Avoid areas with bright streetlights and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the darkness. Watch for a point of light rising into the sky, followed by a diffuse, expanding glow that may resemble a jellyfish with long, wispy tentacles. The screen can change shape rapidly as the exhaust expands and captures sunlight. Upper level winds can also change bright clouds. The phenomenon is not a cloud of material returning to Earth. These are rocket exhaust gases and other materials, mainly water, released at high altitudes, illuminated by the Sun while observers on the ground remain in the dark. Clear skies are expected for launch between 6:30 am and 7:30 am. Check the SpaceX mission page for the latest launch times and a live stream of the launch.
