space jellyfish

English

Etymology

space +‎ jellyfish. From having a jellyfish-like appearance, and being in the sky.

Noun

space jellyfish (plural space jellyfishes or space jellyfish)

  1. (space flight, astronautics, informal) An atmospheric phenomenon of the early morning or late evening, where the ground is in nighttime, but sunlight shines through the upper atmosphere, whereby rocket exhaust, the rocket plume, expanding in the upper atmosphere reflects light, creating a visual appearance similar to that of a jellyfish. It can result in reports of UFO sightings.
    Coordinate terms: twilight phenomenon, UFO, unidentified flying object, alien
  2. (space flight, astronautics, informal) An atmospheric phenomenon of the moon-lit nighttime, whereby expanding rocket exhaust in the night sky reflects moonlight, creating the appearance similar to that of a jellyfish.
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