A mysterious object spotted in the night sky has left residents in B.C.’s north and Interior, as well as parts of Alberta and Vancouver Island, puzzled. Multiple witnesses reported seeing a large, white shape slowly glide across the horizon and then vanish from sight between 10:15 and 10:30 p.m. PT on Tuesday.
Among the observers were Sarah and Jared Siemens of Vanderhoof, B.C., who had just been discussing the likelihood of UFOs with their son when they witnessed the unidentified phenomenon shortly after. Videos capturing the incident have surfaced on various community Facebook groups spanning from Williams Lake to Prince George to Fort St. John, covering hundreds of kilometers. Reports of the sighting also came in from the Nass Valley, Kamloops, Oliver, Vancouver Island, and Sherwood Park, Alta.
Astronomer Malhar Kendurkar, the president of the Prince George Astronomical Observatory, identified the object as SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base earlier in the evening. The rocket’s unique appearance, resembling a glowing cloud due to the booster’s exhaust expanding in the upper atmosphere, created a spectacle in the night sky.
Michael Unger, director of programming at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, noted the increasing frequency of unidentified sightings as the night sky becomes more congested with drones, private satellites, and rockets. He highlighted the importance of capturing and sharing such sightings for scientific purposes, aiding in the monitoring of celestial activities.
The influx of man-made objects in space has sparked curiosity among the public and emphasizes the vastness of the unknown realm above us. As technology advances and space exploration expands, more intriguing phenomena are likely to be observed and shared, fostering a deeper appreciation for the mysteries of the universe.
