by David E.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah residents who were startled by a bright jellyfish-shaped light in the sky in the early hours of 9 November need not worry, as the phenomenon has been confirmed to have been caused by a Chinese rocket launch.
The Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), in a media statement, confirmed that the light originated from China’s Long March 12 rocket, which was launched from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Centre in Wenchang, Hainan, at 4:24 am Malaysian time.
The rocket was carrying the 29th batch of low-Earth orbit internet satellites and successfully placed the satellites into their designated orbit. According to a Xinhua report, the Long March 12 is China’s new-generation rocket that uses liquid cryogenic fuel, with the capability of carrying at least 6 tonnes to sun-synchronous orbit and up to 12 tonnes to low-Earth orbit.
The phenomenon witnessed by Sabah residents is known in space science as a “space jellyfish” effect. It occurs because rocket exhaust gases released in the upper atmosphere expand and crystallise rapidly in a near-vacuum environment. Because the launch was made in the early morning, the ground surface was still dark, but the rocket trail at high altitude was illuminated by sunlight below the horizon. As a result, a giant patch of light formed in the night sky, complete with a spread of tentacle-like shapes.
This phenomenon is common in space launches worldwide and is not linked to any abnormal or dangerous occurrence.
Prior to the launch, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued an advisory that the expected rocket debris drop zone was located in Philippine island waters, approximately 25 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and 19 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The Philippine authorities advised the public not to collect or approach debris that may contain toxic rocket fuel residue.
MYSA, in its statement, cited information from the Philippine side but stressed that as of the issuance of the statement, the agency had not received any official reports of rocket debris being found in Malaysian territory.
“The public is advised to immediately report to the Space Authority Division at 03-8885 8685 or email bpadg@mosti.gov.my should there be any discovery related to debris from the rocket launch,” the statement said.
The incident sparked speculation and concern among some residents on social media. The swift explanation from the space agency helped dispel public doubts over the unidentified flying object or potential security threat.
From a geographical perspective, Sabah lies beneath the Western Pacific space launch corridor. Similar optical phenomena may recur in the future. The public need not panic.
– TV Sabah
