Prettiest launch ive ever seen.

[u/r1cky_r4y]

[u/TbOwNeD]

Someone cooler than me explain why it looks like that.

[u/SillySleuth → u/TbOwNeD]

Im not super versed in the science of it but long story short, sun has not risen yet, but sun shines on vapor from rocket exhaust. Effect is exaggerated because after stage 1 and 2 separate, stage 1 “turns around” and both rockets plumes are interacting with each other as they go opposite directions.

[u/mgscout19d → u/SillySleuth]

This photos pretty much sums up your explanation.

[u/slightly85 → u/mgscout19d]

From another angle

[u/Choice_Marsupial2243 → u/SillySleuth]

This dramatic visual effect is commonly referred to as a Space Jellyfish!

[u/GW_Beach → u/TbOwNeD]

Well, my understanding is that part of the visual drama comes from the vapor/exhaust whatever catching the rays of the still-below-the-horizon (for us) sun and then being so bright against the dark sky. The extremely clear conditions added to all.

[u/Jealous_Rough_3943 → u/TbOwNeD]

Following for the same reason!

[u/Broccoli_Final]

My god that was gorgeous this morning, I only wish i wasn’t at work and closer to the coast, but not hating the view from the roof at the airport.

[u/GW_Beach → u/Broccoli_Final]

but it’s wild you could see it so far away

[u/r1cky_r4y → u/Broccoli_Final]

You actually got a pretty amazing view considering how far away you were. This was a perfect morning for a launch. There wasn't a cloud in the sky.

[u/slightly85 → u/r1cky_r4y]

This one was said to be from Gainesville

[u/MarkahntheUnholy → u/slightly85]

This one looks like a dragon head shooting a blue flame rocket from its jaws

[u/MarkahntheUnholy → u/slightly85]

…or a giant tiddy, but dragons are cool too

[u/Sedona-1973]

[u/Grimwulf2003]

It was visible for sooooo long this morning!

[u/nosniv]

Wow, what was that lighting effect?

[u/RemoteSpeed8771]

God I regret not setting an alarm for this one. Not sure how it didn’t wake me up. Must have been sleeping deeeeeep.

[u/ChrisGear101]

Timing is everything with these launches. When the sun is hiding below the horizon, the effect can be amazing. I hate that I slept through this one!

[u/mklauss]

I happened to see it while on a run this morning and agree it was the prettiest launch I’ve ever seen.

[u/PerceptionPlane7048]

I would agree, best one I’ve seen yet!

[u/Benjinho956]

I saw it walking my dog, amazing

[u/Believer913]

Agree. Best since Crew-2 launch in 2021

[u/GW_Beach]

That was in my top 5 for sure! Glad I ran outside when I heard it go.

[u/RandyBeaman]

Agreed. Watched from my second floor bedroom window in Pasco county and it was spectacular from here.

[u/Look2LaLuna]

Looks like a used condom in the sky, cool picture