Mysterious Spiral Light Spotted Across Eastern US During Meteor Shower Peak

A peculiar phenomenon captivated observers across multiple states Tuesday night as a luminous, spiraling shape appeared in the skies above Pennsylvania and Delaware, sparking widespread speculation about its origin. Numerous individuals documented the unusual sight via social media and news channels on August 12, describing it as a white spiral, boomerang, or dogbone-shaped object rotating in the atmosphere. Reports of the anomaly surfaced not only from Pennsylvania and Delaware but also extended to New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Missouri, Illinois, Maryland, and other regions.

The sightings coincided with the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower, prompting some to initially attribute the light to a particularly vibrant meteor. Others were scanning the heavens anticipating the launch of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, which occurred prior to 9 p.m. ET. A separate event, the liftoff of Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket from French Guiana at 8:37 p.m. ET, also took place earlier that evening, though a definitive link between it and the observed spiral hasn’t been established.

According to ABC News, experts believe the luminous spiral was most likely a frozen trail of fuel released during a rocket exhaust process, reflecting sunlight and creating an apparent rotational effect as it disperses in the atmosphere. The Perseid meteor shower, which will be active again from July 17 through August 23, 2025, with its peak occurring on the night of August 12-13, typically delivers a spectacle of up to 75 shooting stars per hour under ideal viewing conditions, visible after midnight and appearing from any point in the sky.