The rocket launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during the afternoon hours, but it was already dark across Europe when it lifted off. As it zoomed across the sky to reach space, it produced a mesmerizing blue spiral that left many Europeans scratching their heads.

Frozen fuel from the Falcon 9 rocket launched Monday created a luminous display for several minutes, and was seen by people from England to Eastern Europe.

A giant whirlpool of light, known as a "SpaceX spiral," was recently spotted swirling across the night sky over Europe as a Falcon 9 rocket prepared to reenter Earth's atmosphere after deploying top-secret cargo.