Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

We\'re not
going back!

(=^.^=)

~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
FUCK
DONALD
TRUMP

(=^.^=)
~~~~~~~~
3.1415926535
897932384626
433832795028
841971693993
751058209749
445923078164
062862089986
$ $ $
MONEY
DOES NOT
EQUAL
SPEECH
$ $ $
*****
THE BEST
DEMOCRACY
MONEY CAN
BUY!!
*****
We\'re #1

Who knew?
So many
good Germans
in our party
:-(
Check out
all the stickies
on Grovelbot's
Big Board!

Hekate

(99,025 posts)
Tue Jun 17, 2025, 12:18 AM Jun 17

Any idea what went up in the sky about an hour ago over the Central Coast? Did it blow up?

This is after 9pm now — I first noticed something strange maybe a quarter after 8pm. I looked out a window and saw a bright red cylindrical object, reflecting the sun from high up. Took me awhile to get outdoors, and by then it was gone, leaving very twisted and by then broken contrails behind — again, for awhile they glowed with the remains of the sunlight.

I didn’t hear a sonic boom, but then the coyotes were howling so I might have missed it. Vandenberg AFB (or Space Base, whatever it is now) is about 100 miles away, and we occasionally get to hear Muskrat’s satellites and whatnot taking off.

My problem with all nighttime sky phenomena is we live tucked into a valley, plus there are a fair amount of palm trees and mature oaks about. I feel lucky I saw this much by accident. But I still want to know if anyone knows what it was and if it was an unscheduled rapid disassembly of something.

Thanks.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Any idea what went up in the sky about an hour ago over the Central Coast? Did it blow up? (Original Post) Hekate Jun 17 OP
It was SpaceX from Vandenberg Grumpy Old Guy Jun 17 #1
Kind of what I thought, but it really did not look normal, especially the curly-Q contrails Hekate Jun 17 #2
I saw the same at around 8:45ish sdfernando Jun 17 #3
The wind blows it around. Grumpy Old Guy Jun 17 #5
Curly Q Contrails are caused by upper level winds. n/t Jacson6 Jun 18 #6
More of Elon Musk's environmentally destructive garbage. hunter Jun 17 #4

Hekate

(99,025 posts)
2. Kind of what I thought, but it really did not look normal, especially the curly-Q contrails
Tue Jun 17, 2025, 12:24 AM
Jun 17

Thanks

sdfernando

(5,873 posts)
3. I saw the same at around 8:45ish
Tue Jun 17, 2025, 01:48 AM
Jun 17

and I’m in San Diego. Usually the contrails are pretty straight and somewhat arched….not the curly-q I saw tonight.

Grumpy Old Guy

(4,037 posts)
5. The wind blows it around.
Tue Jun 17, 2025, 12:01 PM
Jun 17

I was going to photograph it, but I thought it was still going to be too light. I can usually get a pretty good shot of it from my driveway.

hunter

(39,799 posts)
4. More of Elon Musk's environmentally destructive garbage.
Tue Jun 17, 2025, 09:01 AM
Jun 17

Starlink Group 15-9, Falcon 9 Block 5, SpaceX

It was a "successful" launch. Air currents dispersing the tail of pollutants is what makes the show.

I won't link to any enthusiast's sites, including our own government.

None of Musk's businesses are viable without massive government subsidies and support and none of them are making the world a better place.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»California»Any idea what went up in ...