CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — Early risers across Florida and parts of Georgia and the Carolinas have a shot at seeing a spectacular “space jellyfish” in the sky on Tuesday morning October 20. A SpaceX rocket is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral at 6:30 AM EDT, and the best view is expected between 6:34 and 6:38 AM EDT. Our forecast shows mostly clear skies for Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville, giving Florida the best chance to catch the show.
Why Monday’s Launch Was Scrubbed
The launch was first planned for Monday morning, but it was called off because of rough weather out at sea. After launch, the rocket’s booster returns to Earth and lands on a platform in the ocean. When waves and winds are too rough at that landing spot, the mission has to wait.
That delay turned out to be good news for sky watchers. The new Tuesday launch time lines up perfectly with the conditions needed for a space jellyfish.
What Is a Space Jellyfish
A space jellyfish is a glowing cloud that forms from a rocket’s exhaust high in the sky. As the rocket climbs, its exhaust spreads out into a wide, glowing shape that often looks like a jellyfish floating through space. The effect only happens under the right lighting conditions.
The key is timing. With liftoff at 6:30 AM EDT, it will still be dark on the ground, but the rocket’s exhaust will rise high enough to catch sunlight from the sun that has not yet risen for people below. That sunlight makes the plume glow against the dark sky.
When to Look Up
The show will only last a few minutes, so timing is everything:
- Liftoff is set for 6:30 AM EDT from Cape Canaveral.
- The jellyfish begins around 6:34 AM EDT, when the exhaust plume first rises into sunlight.
- The best view runs from 6:34 to 6:38 AM EDT, as the rocket heads southeast over the ocean.
- Engine cutoff is expected around 6:38 AM EDT, when the glowing display begins to fade.
Look toward the southeast sky during that window for the best chance to spot it.
Where Viewing Chances Are Best
Our viewing map shows the best chances across the Florida peninsula, with chances fading the farther north and west you go:…