SpaceX's latest rocket launch dazzles in California's night sky
Watching a rocket blast into space is always quite the sight, but it was particularly mesmerising for people living on California's coast on Sunday.
SpaceX launched (and landed!) its Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, which sits just north of Los Angeles.
SEE ALSO: SpaceX lands its first rocket on West Coast ground
The rocket's trail left a haze of light in the night sky, culminating in a spectacular show which lasted for a few minutes. Despite warnings of the launch, some people on social media wondered if what they were seeing happened to be erm, aliens.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti cleared up the confusion with stunning photos of the launch on Twitter.
Nope, definitely not aliens.
What you’re looking at is the first launch and landing of the @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the West Coast. The rocket took off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 7:21 p.m. and landed safely back on Earth. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/8AKjGptpps— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) October 8, 2018
A closer look at tonight's #SpaceX #Falcon9 launch. pic.twitter.com/99m8OQYfkw
— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) October 8, 2018
While SpaceX CEO Elon Musk couldn't help but post a photo of the event, the public took some equally impressive shots.
(Credit @_TomCross_) pic.twitter.com/ZsRRVy2iDS
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 8, 2018
SpaceX Launch // Hueneme Beach
A post shared by @ __angelserrano on Oct 7, 2018 at 7:57pm PDT
#SpaceX #Falcon9 launch from Santa Barbara. #panasonicg85 pic.twitter.com/M8W1eJty1J
— Sophie Cameron (@s0phie_cameron) October 8, 2018
THAT WAS AMAZING! The @SpaceX launch from Vandenberg was incredible! I took one long photo, 9 minutes long, the stage 2 cloud was spiraling out of control, what a show! #Falcon9 #SpaceX #SAOCOM1A #SAOCOM #launchday pic.twitter.com/qxBGAtqPku
— Joaquin Baldwin (@joabaldwin) October 8, 2018
I just nearly had a heart attack watching the SpaceX rocket separate from its booster right above the LA skyline pic.twitter.com/rr55BMx1eh
— Eric Zassenhaus (@ezass) October 8, 2018
The launch also looked just as stunning in video.
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