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'Otherworldly' light over NZ likely a Chinese rocket - astronomer
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'Otherworldly' light over NZ likely a Chinese rocket - astronomer

Otago Daily Times Online News·Saturday, 25 April 2026·about 1 month ago
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Astronomers believe an "otherworldly'' light seen in the sky on Friday night is linked to a Chinese rocket launch hours earlier. Tūhura Otago Museum director and astronomer Ian Griffin said the striking phenomenon appeared about 30 minutes after a rocket reportedly lifted off from China. ''As I understand it, there was a launch at about half past six our time,'' Griffin said. ''Roughly half an hour later, the rocket was passing over New Zealand when there was likely a stage separation or firing of rocket jets, and it became incredibly bright in the sky.'' Griffin said the launch of a Long March-2D rocket carrying experimental satellites reportedly took place from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center earlier that afternoon Beijing time. Reports and images of a glowing cloud moving across the sky quickly surfaced on social media, with sightings spanning much of the country.…

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