Mysterious White Streak During Aurora Display
A stunning aurora display across parts of the United States on May 17th was unexpectedly accompanied by a bizarre phenomenon: a bright white streak cutting across the night sky. While the auroras themselves were a result of a geomagnetic storm triggered by a coronal mass ejection from the Sun, the white streak proved far more enigmatic.
Unraveling the Mystery
Initial speculation centered on STEVE, a known atmospheric phenomenon sometimes seen near auroras. However, this theory was quickly dismissed. Long-exposure photographs captured the event, showcasing a bright, swiftly moving streak of light appearing high in the sky before descending towards the horizon. This visual strongly suggested something other than the typically more diffuse nature of STEVE.
The solution, as it turned out, was far less otherworldly. Approximately an hour before the streak's appearance, a Chinese company launched its Zhuque-2E rocket, carrying six satellites into orbit. Astronomers quickly linked the event to the rocket's upper stage, likely the result of a fuel dump at a high altitude as it passed over the Four Corners region. This high-altitude fuel expulsion provided the explanation for the bright, swift white streak seen by so many.
This incident highlights the unexpected interplay between natural celestial events and human space exploration. The unexpected appearance of the streak, against the backdrop of a beautiful aurora, serves as a reminder of the complex and sometimes surprising phenomena visible in our night sky.
Source: Gizmodo