By CNBCTV18.com
Swirling light seen over New Zealand
An unusual, spiralling plume of gas and light was seen across the night sky in New Zealand. It was first seen in Nelson, a city at the tip of New Zealand’s southern island, from where it travelled about 750 km all the way south to Stewart Island by 7.30 pm (local time) on Sunday. It was then the sight was most prominent.
These were photographed by a friend in #Asheville last night. The spiral at the end was taken last night in New Zealand and sent to a friend of mine (next tweet.) Then what @VennieKocsis saw the night before last. So much activity right now! #ufotwitter pic.twitter.com/zJaibiDwVN — FullDisclosureForTheWin🇺🇸 ✨🙏💥💕 (@fulldiscloseFTW) June 19, 2022
Conspiracy theories
The unusual bright swirl spawned some extremely optimistic sci-fi-esque theories. Many eye witnesses speculated whether it was an astronomical phenomenon or was it extra-terrestrial activity including one having to do with a wormhole leading to another galaxy.
Crazy moving spiral over nelson NZ tonight! Think my kids summoned a portal! Arghh! #SpaceX #Rockets #UFOs #Portals pic.twitter.com/awtzFMGVnY — kiwiChic (@SarahCa72304628) June 19, 2022
The truth behind the phenomenon
The theories were great, but experts have found the real cause behind the phenomenon. It appears that the bright blue spiral was caused by the SpaceX's Globalstar 2 FM15. The rocket, after releasing its payload, spins, and vents fuel from its upper stage. This vapour trail then reflects light creating a highly visible swirl visible from the ground.
Experts at the New Plymouth Astronomical Society on the North Island of New Zealand explained that the phenomenon was caused by this fuel dump as the SpaceX's Globalstar 2 FM15 was likely to have passed New Zealand around that time.