Residents across parts of the Philippines were treated to a rare celestial display on the evening of April 11, after a glowing, jellyfish-like formation appeared in the sky shortly after sunset.
According to the Philippine Space Agency, the unusual light phenomenon was “highly likely” caused by the passage of the Jielong-3 rocket, which was launched by the People’s Republic of China from the South China Sea at around 7:32 p.m. Philippine time.
The agency said sightings were recorded at approximately 7:40 p.m., as the rocket’s exhaust plume expanded at high altitude and became visible across wide areas.
“The phenomenon is commonly called a ‘space jellyfish,’ which occurs when a rocket’s exhaust plume, released at high altitudes, is directly illuminated by sunlight while observers on the ground remain in darkness,” the agency explained.
It added that as the plume spreads in the upper atmosphere, it reflects and scatters sunlight, creating a luminous, jellyfish-like glow that can be seen during twilight conditions.
Such events, while uncommon, are not unprecedented and are often linked to rocket launches during early evening or pre-dawn hours, when lighting conditions allow the plume to stand out dramatically against the dark sky.
Photos of the phenomenon quickly circulated online, with netizens describing the sight as both surreal and mesmerizing.
The Philippine Space Agency urged the public to remain informed and rely on verified sources when unusual sky events occur, noting that most of these sightings can be explained by ongoing space activities.
