Manila: The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) announced on Wednesday that the jellyfish-like glow observed in various parts of the country on Tuesday night was likely the result of a Chinese rocket's passage.

According to Philippines News Agency, the phenomenon, referred to as 'space jellyfish', occurs when a rocket's exhaust plume is released at high altitudes and is directly illuminated by sunlight, while observers on the ground remain in darkness. This explanation aligns with the recent launch of China's Long March 6A (Chang Zheng 6A) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, which took place at approximately 7:58 p.m. (PhST) on Tuesday.

The PhilSA clarified that there were no projected debris drop zones from this rocket launch that would affect Philippine territory or waters. The agency explained that the rocket's exhaust plume expands in the thin upper atmosphere and scatters sunlight, producing a luminous, jellyfish-like glow that can be seen over wide areas during twilight conditions.