On November 27, SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. Meanwhile, the full moon had risen in the sky. Photographer Gilbert Plumer captured the rocket’s launch in time-lapse, approximately 20 miles from the launch site.

In the images you can see an unusual glow around the bright moon after startup. This effect occurs due to the reflection of light from the ice crystals contained in cirrus clouds formed between 6100 and 12200 meters above the earth’s surface. The rocket’s collision with the clouds caused the position of the crystals to change, and the light from the moon began to reflect in the direction where the photo was taken, creating a halo effect. Similar light rings and arcs can also be observed around the sun if ice crystals in cirrus clouds are located between the sun and the observer.

It is unknown how long this halo around the moon has existed. However, the duration of the time-lapse was 128 seconds, and at least this time a moon halo was formed.

Previous Falcon 9 rocket launches have been accompanied by visual effects such as rotating spirals of light, as well as bright red streaks of light similar to the northern lights that appear in the sky after the rockets fly through “holes” in the upper atmosphere. “Space Spirals” due to fuel ejection from the spinning rocket’s secondary boosters.

Such events are becoming more frequent with the increase in the number of SpaceX launches related to the expansion of the Starlink satellite constellation. But despite the wonderful photos of this phenomenon, frequent launches can have side effects.

Starlink’s launch schedule has increased significantly and is now launching every week. The increase in the number of satellites in orbit is making the sky much brighter than before, causing problems for astronomers and radio astronomers. A study was conducted in July that found that radio waves from Starlink satellites had negative effects on radio astronomy. The company has also been criticized for saying satellites could fall out of orbit and fall to Earth during solar storms.