Residents of Alamogordo and others around Otero County, New Mexico, reported a very unusual sighting just after sunset on January 2nd. Several grabbed their phones to capture videos and photos to share on social media, hoping to find out what they were seeing. Some believed they had just witnessed a UFO.

Many of the eyewitness accounts similarly reported the strange light racing across the sky until it disappeared. Several claimed the light did not resemble a typical plane or helicopter. Some said the UFO paused before taking off at an incredible speed. Speculation quickly turned to the light being either an alien visitation or a secret military test, according to Alamogordo Town News.

Alamogordo’s proximity to Holloman Air Force Base only added fuel to the speculation. The base has been linked to rumors of UFO sightings over the years. One witness remarked, “Holloman has a history; this could be a top-secret reverse-engineering project or even contact.”

What exactly was the source of these strange lights over New Mexico?

Despite the speculation, there may be a more scientific explanation for the mysterious UFO sighting. Tracking data shows that on January 2, a SpaceX Falcon 9 satellite launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Rocket launches, especially during twilight, can appear otherworldly. As a rocket flies through the sky, sunlight can illuminate its exhaust plumes, creating bright streaks and glowing clouds visible from thousands of miles away.

It is certainly possible that observers could mistake this “twilight plume” illumination for a UFO. With no announcements regarding experimental aircraft or tests at Holloman Air Force Base, the Falcon 9 launch is the most logical explanation. Right?