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People in L.A. Definitely Thought This SpaceX Rocket Launch Was Aliens

2 minute read

SpaceX launched its final rocket of the year on Friday, which put on a spectacular show as it streaked across the night sky in Southern California. But not everyone in L.A. got the memo about the rocket launch. Some thought it was aliens. Or worse.

Social media users posted pictures of the rockets and speculated about what the lights in the sky could be – with opinions ranging from aliens to fairy godparents to Santa.

Even as news that the lights were really a SpaceX launch spread, some still weren’t convinced. Twitter users speculated the explanation was a government cover-up.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off in the air, as seen from Los Angeles, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying 10 Iridium voice and data relay satellites was seen throughout Southern California on Dec. 22, 2017Danny Johnson via Reuters

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk also let himself have fun with the conspiracy theories and played along with the idea that aliens were lighting up the skies.

Musk even implied the rocket was a “nuclear alien UFO from North Korea.”

Handout photo of the twilight effect from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying 10 Iridium voice and data relay satellites is shown in a view from US Highway 101 and Padaro Lane in Carpinteria
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying 10 Iridium voice and data relay satellites was seen throughout Southern California on Dec. 22, 2017Mike Eliason—Santa Barbara County Fire Dept/Reuters

Musk also announced on Twitter that he was planning another launch for January.

The next rocket will fire from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County – another chance for pyrotechnics over Southern California.

Or, you know, aliens.

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