A spectacular display of spiraling lights appeared in the night sky along the East Coast on Tuesday, mesmerizing stargazers who were looking out for the Perseid meteor shower. The unusual phenomenon was caused by multiple rocket launches, including the Ariane 6 and Vulcan Centaur Rocket. According to astrophysicist Jonathan C. McDowell, the spirals are created when reflection from sunlight interacts with the frozen plume of fuel from the exhaust of rockets.
The spiral light is a result of the upper stage of the rocket tumbling as it underwent a disposal rocket firing at the end of the launch. This event was witnessed by several people in different states, including Maryland, New York, and Illinois. The phenomenon is rare and can be seen for a short period of time.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/stargazers-dazzled-spirals-lights-night-sky/story?id=124624651