Tucson police, media and others fielded phone calls from residents tonight wondering about a weird light seen in the night sky, described by some as looking like a huge white vapor trail.
It was the contrail of a rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California, this evening, Friday, Dec. 22, 2017.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg, with its contrail seen over a wide area, including Southern Arizona.
Here's what the Los Angeles Times says on its website about the sight as seen over the City of Angels, for example:
"What was that in the skies above L.A. Friday night that stopped traffic and sparked both alarm and curiosity?
"It was the contrail from the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that was scheduled to liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base this evening, according to the website Spacearchive.info.
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"Officials had warned the launch could be seen across Southern California and beyond. But on the day before the holiday weekend, the streaks of light against the blue sky were something to behold.
"Many people pulled their cars over to take photos and videos of the sight."
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