Tonight there will be a unique astronomical phenomenon over Poland – a luminous vortex created by the Falcon 9 rocket. This is simply a uncommon side effect of a space mission that can be observed without the usage of specialized equipment. If the weather is good, the sky above our country will become an arena for a spectacular spectacle.
Transporter-14 mission: start from California, effect visible in Europe
The phenomenon is straight related to Transporter-14 missionthe company implements SpaceX. rocket launch Falcon 9 scheduled for Sunday, June 23rd, at 23:18 p.m. Polish time of cosmodore Vandenberg California. There's a rocket on board. approximately 70 satellites and capsuleswhich will be gradually deployed in orbit during flight.
Explains Karol Wójcicki, astronomer and author of the well-known profile “With a head in the stars”, the phenomenon of the luminous vortex is an effect the discharge of residual fuel through the second phase of the rocketwhich performs this maneuver after the release of the load. It is this minute that creates a characteristic spiral form in the sky.
Where and erstwhile to look to the sky?
According to Wójcki, Falcon's first flight signs 9 over Poland will be visible approximately 00:30–00:38. During this time Second-degree rocket will be approximately 30-40 degrees above the east horizon. Although satellites themselves may be hard to place with the bare eye, the rocket should be visible as a bright point moving across the sky.
The phenomenon will culminate around 2:06 p.m., erstwhile second degree Falcon 9 It will come out of the shadow of Earth and by about seven minutes will be visible above west horizon. That's erstwhile it's expected to come down to a drop of residual fuel that it'll make in the sky. Shiny spiral, commonly known as ‘space vortex’.
What does the cosmic vortex look like, and why is it visible?
The light vortex is the consequence scattering sunlight on gas molecules released from a rocket at a tallness of respective 100 kilometres above Earth. The appropriate atmospheric conditions and the angle of light fall make The gas cloud is lit upforming symmetrical spiral structure. In the past akin phenomena were observed after Falcon 9 and another rockets took off.
The phenomenon of the visibility of this kind of phenomenon from Poland is that while the country is at night, the advanced atmosphere layers are inactive illuminated by the Sunwhich is just below the north horizon. This. ideal conditions for observing side effects of orbital activity, which are usually not noticeable during the day or during the cloud.
Observation conditions and recommendations
According to weather data, that night The weather in most countries will favour sky observation. Especially good conditions are expected for Eastern and Central Polandwhere the cloud is to be minimal.
To increase the chances of successful observation, it is worth:
- Go distant from the city lights – light contamination may make it hard to see the phenomenon,
- Look to the east sky About half an hr after midnight, then west just after 2:00.,
- Use tripod and long vulnerability timeif we plan to take pictures,
- Follow the “Head in the Stars” profile, where visibility updates are regularly published.
Cosmic spirals – more frequent phenomenon?
Although it may seem mysterious or even disturbing to many to see a spiral vortex in the sky, this phenomenon is completely natural and harmless. As orbital launches increase – especially commercial missions and nanosathelits – effects specified as this will appear more and more frequently.
In the past, luminous whirls were observed, among others, after the start of Florida or Norway. In 2023 a akin phenomenon was seen over Alaska after Falcon 9 launched on Starlink's mission. Experts note that expanding activity in orbit can make specified observations new standard in amateur astronomy.
Tonight over Poland you will see unique astronomical phenomenon – The lightning vortex created by the Falcon 9 rocket, flying as part of the Transporter-14 mission. The best time to observe is 2:06 a.m.When the rocket passes through the visibility region over the west horizon. It's worth looking at the sky – possibly it's 1 of those shows we'll remember for life.
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Lighting vortex over Poland: Space performance visible this night
