Mysterious white streak "tearing" the night sky

A strange streak of light was captured by a photographer in the sky in Colorado, USA, on the night of May 17 (Photo: Mike Lewinski).

On the night of May 17, residents in the US states of Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas were surprised to witness a strange white streak of light, standing out among the pink and purple auroras in the sky.

The phenomenon occurred in the context of the Earth being subjected to a G2-level geomagnetic storm, caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun on May 12.

Initially, experts thought the CME would not affect Earth. However, the CME's spreading "wing" structure reached the Earth's magnetic field on May 16, creating magnetic storms and auroras at low latitudes.

What attracted attention was not only the aurora but also the mysterious white streak of light that appeared to "tear" the sky.

Photographer Mike Lewinski captured the night's action. "As the northern lights appeared, a bright white light, like a rocket re-entry streak, suddenly appeared from high above the horizon," he said.

The phenomenon was later recorded in New Mexico and Kansas. At first, many people speculated that this was a STEVE phenomenon - a rare form of atmospheric glow that accompanies auroras. However, experts quickly dismissed it.

Astronomer Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics confirmed that it was the upper stage of China's Zhuque-2E rocket, launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

The methane-fueled rocket delivered six satellites into orbit, including radar and space science payloads.

McDowell said the upper stage of the rocket flew over the "Four Corners" (the intersection of four western states of the United States) at an altitude of about 250 km. The remaining fuel created a prominent white streak that was easy to observe.

SpaceX launches have previously left bright swirls or spiraling smoke trails high above, confusing observers unfamiliar with space activity.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/vet-trang-bi-an-xe-toac-bau-troi-dem-20250520070759472.htm