Photos: SpaceX launch creates 'space jellyfish' effect in Florida sky

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Published July 9, 2026 7:57 AM EDT
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Good Day Orlando Xtra

The Brief

    • SpaceX sent another batch of satellites into space from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday.
    • The exhaust from the company's Falcon 9 rocket left "space jellyfish" in the sky.
    • FOX 35 viewers sent in photos they captured of the unusual sight.

SpaceX sent another batch of Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on Thursday.

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But the early morning launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station left an unusual sight in the sky.

FOX 35 viewers sent in pictures of "space jellyfish."

A "space jellyfish" appears in the sky over DeBary after a SpaceX launch early Thursday. (Credit: Randall Smith)
A "space jellyfish" appears in the sky over Daytona Beach after a SpaceX launch early Thursday. (Credit: Elaine Lopez)
A "space jellyfish" appears in the sky over Palm Coast after a SpaceX launch early Thursday. (Credit: Susan McManus)

What is a "space jellyfish"?

The effect is created when the sunlight reflects off the exhaust from the rocket. The result was a glowing, bulb-like cloud. 

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Viewer photos of "space jellyfish"

The Source: This story was written with information from SpaceX and viewer photos. 

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