Astronomer: Mystery light over Arizona likely from rocket
May 21 (UPI) -- A mysterious beam of light seen in the night sky over Arizona and neighboring states was likely caused by a Chinese rocket, an astronomer said.
The light sparked speculation online when it was spotted in the sky on the night of May 16, with some hypothesizing it could be energized particles in the atmosphere causing a space weather phenomenon known as Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, or STEVE.
Other theories included reflections from ice crystals in the atmosphere, meteor activity or even extraterrestrial intervention.
Astronomer Tony Phillips wrote on spaceweather.com that the light was most likely caused by a Chinese rocket launched about an hour before the reported U.S. sightings. He said the beam of light may have been from the rocket falling our of orbit or from the deployment of its satellites.
"This plume was not an aurora, and it was not STEVE. We believe it is related to a rocket launch in China," Phillips wrote.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
6 gray whales found dead in a week in San Francisco Bay
May 30 (UPI) -- Six gray whales have been found dead in the wider San Francisco Bay Area in the last seven days, raising the total number of dead whales in the region to 15 for the year. According to a joint Wednesday statement from the California Academy of Sciences and The Marine Mammal Center, the most recent gray whale was found on Wednesday. The carcass was found near Alamere Falls at Point Reyes National Seashore, they said. Two whales were discovered on Monday, one near Alcatraz and the other near Point Bonita. A whale was discovered near Berkeley on Saturday, one near Fisherman's Bay on May 22 and one near Bolinas on May 21. Of the six whales, only the one found near Bolinas -- a yearling -- received a partial necropsy, the results of which were inconclusive, the organizations said. For the year, there have been 14 gray whales and one minke whale found dead in the San Francisco Bay Area. The organizations said suspected or probable vessel strikes appear to be the cause of death for three of the gray whales. "The Academy and partners at the Center have not responded to this many dead gray whales since the height of the Unusual Mortality Event in 2019," the statement said. The UME saw hundreds of gray whales become stranded along the west coat of North America between Dec. 17, 2018, to Nov. 9, 2023. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported a total 690 whales died during the UME in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The centers said they had responded to 14 stranded whales in 2019 and 15 in 2021. The increase in deaths comes amid what the organizations described as "an unusually high number" of whale sightings this year in the San Francisco Bay Area. They said 33 individual gray whales have been confirmed in the bay area via photo identification this year, which is up from six gray whales sighted in the bay for all of last year. "The reason or potential reasons behind the massive spike in sightings this year are still being investigated by researchers," it said. "It is expected that gray whales will be in the bay for another one to two weeks before continuing their annual northern migration to Arctic feeding grounds."
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
China Warns US Over Trump's 'Golden Dome'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chinese military has issued a warning to the United States over President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense program, claiming it would open a "Pandora's box." When asked for a response, the Pentagon referred Newsweek to an earlier statement issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said the $175 billion initiative would "protect our nation from aerial attacks from any foe" by deploying interceptors and sensors in space. Why It Matters On May 20, Trump announced his administration's preferred concept for the Golden Dome program, which he said is expected to be fully operational before the end of his term in 2029. The missile defense system will see the U.S. deploy weapons in space to intercept missiles for the first time. China previously warned that the proposed "highly offensive" U.S. defense system violates the principle of the peaceful use of space. "It will exacerbate the risk of turning outer space into a battlefield and starting an arms race," Beijing's foreign ministry said on May 21. Russia and North Korea—both quasi-allies of China—have also slammed the U.S. for undermining strategic stability and turning space into a potential nuclear battlefield. What To Know Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, accused the U.S. at a press conference on Thursday of "continuously" expanding its military build-up and stoking an arms race in space, thereby violating the "relevant principles" of the Outer Space Treaty. The treaty prohibits the placing of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in Earth's orbit, on celestial bodies, or in outer space, according to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. The deployment of the Golden Dome system would "heighten the risk of turning space into a war zone and triggering a space arms race," the Chinese military spokesperson said. United States President Donald Trump speaks about the Golden Dome missile defense program in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2025. United States President Donald Trump speaks about the Golden Dome missile defense program in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2025. Alex Brandon/AP Photo "Its actions will once again open a Pandora's box. This proves again that no country has done more than the U.S. in militarizing space and making it a battlefield," Zhang added. In his statement issued shortly after Trump's announcement, Hegseth mentioned that some of America's space technologies—including space-based sensors and air and missile defense—already exist, but they need to be "seamlessly integrated" to comprise a complete system. Space Force General Michael Guetlein, who was appointed to oversee the Golden Dome project, warned that adversaries are intent on placing the U.S. at risk by building space weapons. Trump claimed that the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting space-launched missiles. What People Are Saying Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said on Thursday: "We urge the U.S. side to stop expanding military build-up in space, and take concrete actions to uphold global strategic stability." U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 20: "Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world and even if they are launched from space, and we will have the best system ever built." U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on May 20: "Our goal is peace through strength. Golden Dome ensures that the American homeland is not left exposed while adversaries develop more advanced and lethal long-range weapons." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether China will counter the Golden Dome by developing more advanced missiles capable of evading defense systems and targeting the U.S.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Next phase of NASA's Artemis II testing set to begin
May 29 (UPI) -- The next phase of testing is set to begin for NASA's crewed Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon, the administration announced Thursday, and will serve as a foundation for travel to Mars. With a major phase of testing complete, teams will begin to ensure that the Artemis II's rocket and ground systems are working correctly. "It will ensure different systems, including core stage engines and booster thrust control, work as planned," a release from NASA said. Testing teams will also simulate a launch-day scenario in which the Artemis II astronauts will test emergency systems and have them simulate leaving their crew quarters after suiting up to board the rocket for launch. NASA scientists will also test their countdown procedures. Artemis II is scheduled to carry the first woman and person of color to the lunar surface. It is scheduled to lift off in April.
