A Falcon 9 rocket’s sunset departure from Vandenberg Space Force Base delivered a spectacular sight in the western skies Monday night.
The SpaceX rocket, the 10th Falcon to launch from Vandenberg this year, and its 22 Starlink satellites blasted off at 7:28 p.m. from Space Launch Complex-4 on the South Base.
Clear skies and a dusk departure provided the perfect canvas to capture the view of what some describe as a jellyfish appearance. People as far away as San Diego, Arizona and southern Utah took to social media to share their sights of the flight.
Spectators also could see the first-stage booster and two payload fairing halves separate, seemingly gently falling away as the second-stage booster and payload continued upward.
“Please enjoy my utter confusion at seeing this launch 180 miles away. I absolutely did not realize you could see Vandenberg launches from Orange County,” Emily Calandrelli said on X.
“That was insane. I’d never seen a launch before, and so close,” Inland Empire resident Dave Toussaint said.
A post with video of the flight from an X user in Las Vegas simply stated, “Don’t panic.”
Liftoff led to a twilight phenomenon that occurs when rockets or missiles launch 30 to 60 minutes before sunrise or after sunset.
The effect stems from unburned propellant particles and water left after a launch and freeze in the upper atmosphere, according to the Air Force.
The fragments reflect high-altitude sunlight, producing spectacular, colorful effects when seen from the ground. The phenomenon’s appearance varies with viewer location.
Appearance varies based on viewers’ locations, with some areas hundreds of miles away seeing a more spectacular sight.
The phenomenon typically produces green-, blue-, white- and rose-colored clouds, which take on a corkscrew appearance while twisted by winds.
The March 18 SpaceX rocket races the sunset after the evening launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Credit: Jennifer Clark photo 
As seen from Goleta, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket rises from the Central Coast to deliver 22 Starlink satellites into orbit after lifting off at 7:28 p.m. Monday from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Credit: Lauren Hanson photo 
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars over Montecito on Monday evening. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Still climbing over Montecito. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Still climbing. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
The Falcon 9 rocket ascent just before the sonic boom arrived on the South Coast about 15 minutes after launch. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Wind distorts the rocket’s contrail. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base to deliver Starlink satellites into space Monday. The dusk departure created a twilight effect. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo
Observers sometimes suspect — incorrectly — that the phenomenon happens because of a mission failure, but it’s actually related to the liftoff time.
After completing its tasks, the first-stage booster landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific Ocean near Baja California.
Monday’s launch marked the 10th flight for the first-stage booster as SpaceX continues to recycle the key components for future missions.
Deployment of the Starlink satellites successfully took place a little more than one hour after liftoff, according to SpaceX.