ScienceHot Take: Why rocket trails look like jellyfish

The glowing “jellyfish” seen across Chinese social media was the trail of China’s Long March-6A rocket. Its hot exhaust spread through the thin upper atmosphere into a jellyfish-like shape, with a gold-and-blue tail still catching sunlight after the sky below had darkened. The twilight effect depends on launch timing, atmospheric conditions and a clear view.

Long March-6Arocket trailsupper atmosphere

CCGTN★☆☆☆☆2026-10-26 08:38Original