Residents across Central Texas reported a slow-moving, glowing object in the sky Sunday evening. SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral at 5:31 p.m. CST on Jan. 18, carrying 29 Starlink satellites, producing a bright plume that was visible across parts of Texas. Officials and past FAA confirmations say sunlight reflecting off rocket exhaust or newly deployed satellites caused the eerie glow.
Mysterious Glow Over Central Texas Identified as SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink Launch
Strange light over Central Texas: It was a SpaceX launch
Multiple viewers across Central Texas contacted KXAN Sunday evening after spotting a slow-moving, bright object drifting across the sky. The unusual sight—described by one resident in Kyle as a light that "moved very slowly" and didn’t look like a plane—drew questions until officials and launch data provided a clear explanation.
Launch Details
According to information posted on SpaceX's website, a Falcon 9 rocket launched a batch of 29 Starlink satellites (Starlink 6-100 mission) from Cape Canaveral on Sunday, Jan. 18. The vehicle lifted off at 5:31 p.m. CST and placed its payload into low Earth orbit.
What Viewers Saw
The Falcon 9’s ascent produced a bright plume and a slow, glowing appearance visible across parts of Texas — a phenomenon residents have seen during prior Starlink launches. One viewer reported seeing the light over Kyle around 7:07 p.m., when the rocket or its deployed satellites were still catching sunlight while high over the region.
Why It Looked Unusual
Experts and past Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmations indicate the effect is caused when sunlight reflects off rocket exhaust plumes or newly deployed satellites. At certain angles and altitudes, that reflection can make the object appear to move slowly and glow intensely, producing an otherworldly display.
Bottom line: While dramatic, the sighting was almost certainly linked to the SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink launch and the way sunlight interacted with the rocket plume and satellites.
If you captured video or photos of the event, KXAN encourages you to upload them via the station's contact form. For more coverage and updates, visit KXAN Austin.
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Light seen in the sky over Shiloh, Texas, related to a SpaceX launch on Jan. 18, 2025 (Courtesy: Jeff)
Light seen in the sky over Shiloh, Texas, related to a SpaceX launch on Jan. 18, 2026 (Courtesy: Jeff)
Light seen in the sky over Diamond Trail in Lago Vista, Texas, related to a SpaceX launch on Jan. 18, 2026 (KXAN Viewer Photo)
Light in the sky seen over Central Texas related to a Jan. 18, 2026, SpaceX launch (KXAN Viewer Photo)
Light seen in the sky over Shiloh, Texas, related to a SpaceX launch on Jan. 18, 2026 (Courtesy: Jeff)
Light seen in the sky over Austin, Texas, related to a SpaceX launch on Jan. 18, 2026 (KXAN Viewer Photo)
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