Glowing spiral captured over East Midlands

The unusual display was seen across the UK, including in Asfordby, Leicestershire

Images of a glowing spiral light spotted in the skies on Monday night have been captured across the East Midlands.

The light, believed to have been caused by a SpaceX rocket launch, appeared for a few minutes before fading and was photographed across the UK.

It is believed the light was leftover fuel released by the Falcon 9 rocket which freezes due to the altitude.

The light is reflected off the fuel, making it visible on Earth, and the spiral pattern is caused by the rocket's movement.

The spiral was also spotted in Bingham, Nottinghamshire

Rolleston in Nottinghamshire was another viewing spot

Images of the spiral - shown here above Southwell, Nottinghamshire - were instantly shared

The glowing spiral prompted many puzzled social media posts, with people questioning what the mysterious phenomenon was.

Astronomer Allan Trow told the BBC a rocket was its likely source.

On Monday, the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Florida at around 13:50 local time, (17:50 GMT).

The launch was a US government National Reconnaissance Office mission, SpaceX posted on X.

Derbyshire did not miss out on the display - seen here over Heage

It was also visible in Ashover, Derbyshire

This photo was taken in Riber, Derbyshire

The unusual sight prompted an array of theories about the cause

BBC Weather Watcher Hannah took this photo in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire