Photos: 'Space jellyfish' effect stuns Florida sky after SpaceX CRS-35 launch to Space Station
SpaceX launch creates 'space jellyfish' over Central Florida
An early morning SpaceX launch from Florida's Space Coast produced a colorful, jellyfish-shaped cloud visible across parts of Central Florida, prompting viewers to send in photos of the unusual sight.
FLORIDA - NASA's SpaceX rocket launch to the International Space Station early Tuesday morning illuminated the skies over Florida in swaths of blues, purples, and oranges in a cosmic phenomenon known as a "space jellyfish."
Numerous photos and videos from those up early enough were sent into the FOX 35 newsroom. We've showcased some of the best photos in the gallery below.
What is a "space jellyfish?"
What we know:
NASA and SpaceX launched the Dragon capsule filled with science experiments and supplies to the International Space Station at 6:33 a.m. Tuesday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, part of NASA's 35th Commercial Resupply Services mission.
Viewer photos shared with FOX 35 of the "space jellyfish" following NASA's SpaceX CRS-35 mission to the Space Station on Oct. 13, 2026.
As the rocket gets higher in the atmosphere, the sunlight reflects off the exhaust from the rocket, which spreads across the sky in a glowing, bulb-like cloud. The effect typically happens during early morning launches, before sunrise.
Your photos: ‘Space Jellyfish’ over Florida
Local perspective:
Several people shared their photos and videos with the "space jellyfish" with FOX 35! View some of them below.
The Source: This story uses information gathered from National Weather Service, NASA, SpaceX, and features several photos and videos shared with FOX 35 of the "space jellyfish" early Tuesday morning, Oct. 14, over Florida.