Spectacular SpaceX launch illuminates the California evening sky sending 22 ... trends now
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The skies of Southern California were aglow Monday evening as a SpaceX rocket streaked across on its way into space.
The Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, 160 miles northwest of Los Angeles, around 7:30pm leaving a bright plume of smoke in its wake.
The visuals were perhaps even more stunning that usual as the sun had only set 15 minutes earlier, but light from our closest star still hit the plume illuminating it.
It ensured the long-trailing cloud was visible across the region including in neighboring Arizona.
Launches either just before sunset or just prior to sunrise usually provide the best views as the rocket reflects the sun's rays with a dark sky background.
An evening launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit is seen blasting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Monday night
People stand on a pier beneath the contrail from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a payload of 22 Starlink internet satellites into space
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket flies above the Pacific Ocean
The launch was visible across much of Southern California and above San Clemente Pier
SpaceX had been due to launch the rocket on Saturday but a weekend storm meant the departure was delayed
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SpaceX had been due to launch the rocket on Saturday but a weekend storm meant