On June 24, 2024, social media platforms in Libya were abuzz with reports of strange objects spotted in the sky. The claims quickly went viral, garnering over 8,100 interactions and numerous comments on Facebook. However, fact-checking by Annir revealed that the spectacle was not caused by unidentified flying objects, but rather a natural phenomenon occurring after the launch of satellites into space.
According to Unis, the phenomenon is known as the Twilight Phenomena, which occurs when a rocket reaches the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere. As the rocket's exhaust gases expand and freeze, they create a breathtaking display of light visible from the ground. This phenomenon typically happens during launches that take place either 30 to 60 minutes before sunrise or after sunset.
On June 23, 2024, SpaceX launched two batches of Starlink internet satellites on board Falcon 9 rockets from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launches took place at 1:15 pm and 11:47 pm local time, respectively. These launches coincided with the sightings reported in Libya, suggesting a connection between the two events.
Rashid Al-Saghir, head of the weather department at the Rashid Vision Institute, explained on Facebook that the spectacle seen in Libya was likely caused by the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket, which separates from the satellite and fires its engine to propel the Starlink satellites into space. This engine firing produces a white, gaseous trail that can persist for some time.
The phenomenon observed in Libya was not an isolated incident. Similar sightings were reported in parts of Italy, as documented by the Emergenza24 network. Annir's fact-checking team had previously debunked a similar claim linking a video of the Twilight Phenomena to Storm Daniel in Derna, Libya.
Based on the evidence, Annir concluded that the claims of strange objects in the Libyan sky were misleading. The spectacle was, in fact, a documented atmospheric phenomenon occurring after the launch of satellites into space. The team classified the claim as misleading, emphasizing that the images captured a natural event rather than extraterrestrial activity.
The incident highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media. Misleading claims can spread quickly, causing confusion and misinformation. Annir's fact-checking efforts aim to promote media literacy and provide accurate information to the public, helping to mitigate the spread of misinformation.
Key points
- The spectacular display of light seen in Libya's skies was caused by the Twilight Phenomena, a natural atmospheric event occurring after satellite launches.
- The phenomenon was triggered by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launches on June 23, 2024, which carried Starlink internet satellites into space.
- The incident emphasizes the need for verifying information before sharing it on social media to prevent the spread of misinformation.
