What Causes a Rocket “Jellyfish” Effect?

This striking phenomenon, often called a “jellyfish,” occurs when a rocket launches near sunrise or sunset. Sunlight reaches the exhaust gases high in the atmosphere, causing the expanding plume to glow brightly against the darker sky below.

See the spectacular SpaceX rocket jellyfish image.

SpaceX Launch Lights Up the Eastern United States

The Falcon 9 lifted off at 6:33 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The illuminated exhaust plume was visible across the eastern United States, giving observers a remarkable view of the rocket’s journey into space.

The launch marked SpaceX’s 35th commercial resupply mission for NASA. The Dragon spacecraft delivered scientific experiments, supplies and equipment to the International Space Station.

Dragon Delivers Space Station Upgrades and Medical Research

Among the cargo aboard Dragon was the final set of the International Space Station’s rollout solar array, known as IROSA. The additional solar panels are expected to be installed later this fall and will help power the orbiting laboratory.

The spacecraft also carried equipment for scientific investigations that could contribute to advances in medicine and materials science.

Retinal Prosthesis Research in Microgravity

One experiment will examine the fabrication of a retinal prosthesis under microgravity. The near-absence of gravity creates conditions that are difficult to replicate on Earth. The research could help develop techniques to restore vision for certain people with vision loss.

3D Heart Tissue Models for Drug Testing

Another study uses 3D heart tissue models to support the development of more efficient drug-testing methods during future space missions.

Glass Formation and Brain Organoid Studies

Additional experiments will examine how a new type of glass forms in microgravity and investigate brain organoids, which are miniature models of brain tissue grown from cells. These models could help researchers identify new targets for treating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.