On the night of May 17, residents of seven western US states – from Colorado to New Mexico – witnessed a spectacular phenomenon: a giant silver streak, similar to the ghostly aurora borealis, remained in the sky for about 10 minutes. The photos from astrophotographers Mike Lewinski and Jay Shaffer quickly spread across the Internet, raising bewilderment and questions. Initially, many assumed that it was a rare STEVE-type aurora, activated by a geomagnetic storm that raged that night.
The real reason was the launch of the Chinese rocket Zhuque-2E from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center an hour before the event. As explained by Harvard-Smithsonian Center astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, the rocket jettisoned the remaining fuel, an innovative mixture of liquid oxygen and methane known as metallox, before re-entering the atmosphere at an altitude of 250 km. In the rarefied upper atmosphere, the fuel instantly turned into a cloud of tiny crystals. Like a giant mirror, they reflected sunlight to Earth, creating a dazzling silver “plume”.
Methane fuel
This case highlights a key trend in modern space programs – the transition to methane fuel. Zhuque-2E is part of China’s ambitious space strategy. Methane has three advantages: it is more environmentally friendly than traditional kerosene or hydrogen, it is easier and longer to store, and most importantly, it can potentially be produced on Mars from local carbon and hydrogen. This makes it an ideal fuel for interplanetary travel. In July 2023, this rocket’s predecessor, Zhuque-2, became the world’s first methane rocket to reach orbit, beating even SpaceX.
SpaceX spirals
Such light shows are not a unique phenomenon. SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets regularly create even more amazing structures when they jettison fuel during flight. These space works of art, called “SpaceX spirals”, have already been seen over the UK, Europe, and Hawaii. The Zhuque-2E light emission was another example of how routine space operations are transformed into incredible celestial performances for Earthlings.
Safety and pollution
Is such sky pollution dangerous? Astronomers assure us that yes, it is completely safe. The jettisoned fuel is completely dissipated in the upper atmosphere, not threatening the surface. This incident is not only an eerie visualization of space technology, but also a symbol of the acceleration of the “methane race” between space powers. Space exploration not only expands our knowledge, but also changes the face of our night sky, creating new, man-made “constellations”.
Earlier, we reported on the danger that lies behind the auroras.
Provided by livescience.com
