[Reading Science] "Alien UFO? New Galaxy?"

Japanese Observatory Captures Mysterious Spiral Object Over Hawaii
"Suspected SpaceX Falcon 9 Second Stage Crash Phenomenon"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] "Is it a spaceship carrying aliens? Or is it a newly formed galaxy?"

A mysterious spiral image captured over Hawaii on the 18th by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. It is known to have been caused by the second stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle falling. Photo by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Subaru Telescope Operations Team Twitter.

The unique spiral aerial phenomenon left by SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle has once again become a hot topic.

The Subaru Telescope operations team of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan posted on their official Twitter account on the 20th that the Subaru Asahi Star Camera captured an image of a mysterious spiral aerial object over Mauna Kea Island, Hawaii, USA, on the night of the 18th. The Subaru Telescope operations team explained, "This spiral appears to be related to SpaceX's recent satellite launch."

The mysterious spiral pattern captured by the Subaru Telescope, affiliated with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, over the skies of Hawaii on the 18th. Photo by Subaru Telescope Operations Team Twitter account

Experts believe that the mysterious spiral phenomenon observed that day is the trace left by the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, which placed the GPS satellite 'NAVSTAR 82' into orbit on behalf of the U.S. Space Force. Satellite tracking expert Scott Tilley claimed on his Twitter account, "The location almost exactly matches where the second stage of the Falcon 9 was expected to be a few minutes after launch." The first stage of the Falcon 9 returns for reuse, but the second stage remains in Earth's gravitational field and often causes such phenomena as it falls. This happens because the body rotates while expelling remaining fuel.

In June last year, some residents in the southern region of New Zealand witnessed a phenomenon almost identical to the image captured this time, which also became a hot topic. At that time, the phenomenon was confirmed to be the second stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle launched at 12:27 a.m. on the same day from the U.S. Space Force base at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The mysterious spiral pattern created by the Falcon 9 second stage crash witnessed in southern New Zealand last June. Photo by Twitter