Newest observations

Contact information

Skywarden,
Ursa Astronomical Association
Kopernikuksentie 1
00130 Helsinki
taivaanvahti(at)ursa.fi

Ursa Astronomical Association

Rocket-related clouds - 29.3.2023 at 22.59 - 29.3.2023 at 23.06 Mäntyharju Observation number 113909

Visibility IV / V

Markku Siljama, Ursa (Etelä-Suomi)

The Russian spy satellite left Plesetsk. At first nothing was visible until a bright cloud of exhaust gas lit up about 10 degrees north. It slowly traveled towards the northern horizon where it disappeared. It was clearly visible and rose surprisingly high.

1.rises on the northeastern horizon in 2259

8. a bluish cloud of exhaust gas was left in the sky and moved to the west.

The weather is clear, calm, -10 degrees, the moon is high in the south.


#raketti: Soyuz 2.1y
#satelliitti: Kosmos 2568



More similar observations
Additional information
  • Havainto
    • Rocket-related clouds
  • Cloud coverage in the sky
    • Very small area
  • Rocket launch
    • Rocket contrails info

      The rocket contrails are colorful clouds that appear when the sun is below the horizon. The contrails can float so high in the atmosphere that the sun shines on them even if it is already completely dark on the ground. They stay visible noticeable quite long after the launch.

      The colors are created by the scattering of sunlight in the small ice crystals. In Finland, rocket phenomena from two different locations have mainly been observed. One of them is the missile launches from the submarines from the White Sea and the Arctic Ocean. They use solid fuel that creates colorful clouds.

      Another source of rocket phenomena is the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Area in Russia. There are a few launches from there every year. These fires usually use liquid fuels, making the clouds less spectacular.

      The visibility of the rocket launch is affected by the time at which the launch is made and where the winds blow. The best of all is around 3-5 o'clock Finnish time, when the cloud has time to spread out a bit and shine in the morning sun coming from the east when it is still dark or dark in Finland.

      During the first decade of the 2000s, rocket phenomena have been observed about twice per year in Finland. Since then, however, it has been quieter.

      Rocket contrails from Oulunsalo, Photo by Jarmo Moilanen.

    • Rocket phase visible in the sky info
Send a comment

Comments are checked and moderated before publication If you want to contact the observer directly about possibilities to use these images, use the Media -form.

*

*

*
characters left

By sending in this comment I confirm, that I've read and understood the the observation system's privacy policy.