GRAND STRAND, SOUTH CAROLINA — An early-morning Falcon 9 launch at 5:15 AM delivered a breathtaking celestial display as the rocket streaked past the coastline, sending four crew members toward the International Space Station and leaving behind shimmering night-shining clouds.
Skywatchers along the Grand Strand, including observers in Briarcliff Acres, were treated to a rare blend of spaceflight and atmospheric optics before sunrise.
A Brilliant Pre-Dawn Launch Over the Coast
The Falcon 9 lifted off in the predawn darkness, its bright plume clearly visible as it arced across the sky. From Briarcliff Acres, the rocket’s exhaust trail appeared as a glowing, comet-like streak against a field of stars.
The timing added to the spectacle. With the sky still dark but beginning to transition toward dawn, sunlight illuminated the upper atmosphere, causing the exhaust plume to glow dramatically while the ground remained in shadow.
Crescent Moon Enhances the View
A waning crescent moon hung low near the horizon, reflecting softly over the water and adding depth to the coastal skyline. The moon’s placement provided a striking visual contrast against the illuminated rocket plume. This combination of lunar light and rocket exhaust created a layered effect — ocean reflections below, moonlight near the horizon, and a luminous streak high overhead.
Noctilucent Clouds Shimmer in the Wake
One of the most eye-catching features of the launch was the formation of noctilucent clouds, sometimes referred to as night-shining clouds. These thin, high-altitude ice crystal clouds form in the upper atmosphere and become visible when illuminated by sunlight from below the horizon…