34
Unlikely
Starlink Group 17-25
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Sat, Feb 21, 2026 · 09:04 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Never Miss the Glow
Track rocket launches that paint glowing jellyfish across twilight skies. Know exactly when and where to look.
92score
Next Jellyfish Launch
Starlink Group 17-26
SpaceX · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 02:00 PM UTC
02DAYS
10HRS
08MIN
33SEC
Upcoming Launches
Each launch is scored for jellyfish effect probability based on solar position, twilight conditions, and launch site.
34
Unlikely
Starlink Group 6-104
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Sun, Feb 22, 2026 · 03:47 AM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
92
Likely
Starlink Group 17-26
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Tue, Feb 24, 2026 · 02:00 PM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
25
Unlikely
That's Not A Knife (DART AE)
Rocket Lab · Electron
Tue, Feb 24, 2026 · 08:00 PM UTCWallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
34
Unlikely
Starlink Group 6-110
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Tue, Feb 24, 2026 · 08:56 PM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
44
Possible
Starlink Group 6-108
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Fri, Feb 27, 2026 · 09:52 AM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
21
Unlikely
Unknown Payload
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation · Long March 7A
Sat, Feb 28, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCWenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
59
Possible
Demo Flight
Skyroot Aerospace · Vikram-I
Sat, Feb 28, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCSatish Dhawan Space Centre, India
26
Unlikely
Stairway to Seven
Firefly Aerospace · Firefly Alpha
Sat, Feb 28, 2026 · 12:50 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
34
Unlikely
Starlink Group 17-23
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Sat, Feb 28, 2026 · 08:00 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
87
Likely
Starlink Group 10-41
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Mon, Mar 2, 2026 · 12:07 AM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
34
Unlikely
Starlink Group 17-18
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Tue, Mar 3, 2026 · 10:58 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
18
Unlikely
GISAT-1A (EOS-05)
Indian Space Research Organization · GSLV Mk II
Fri, Mar 6, 2026 · 09:45 AM UTCSatish Dhawan Space Centre, India
90
Likely
EchoStar 25
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Sun, Mar 8, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
11
Unlikely
Onward and Upward
Isar Aerospace · Spectrum
Thu, Mar 19, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCAndøya Spaceport
19
Unlikely
Progress MS-33 (94P)
Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) · Soyuz 2.1a
Sun, Mar 22, 2026 · 11:59 AM UTCBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
32
Unlikely
Daughter Of The Stars (LEO-PNT Pathfinder A)
Rocket Lab · Electron
Tue, Mar 24, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
34
Unlikely
Transporter 16 (Dedicated SSO Rideshare)
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Sun, Mar 29, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
58
Possible
Demo Flight
RKK Energiya · Soyuz-5
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
34
Unlikely
SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer A
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
19
Unlikely
Flight 3
Space One · KAIROS
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCSpaceport Kii, Japan
67
Likely
BlueBird Block 2 #2
Blue Origin · New Glenn
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
35
Possible
Flight 12
SpaceX · Starship
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCSpaceX Starbase, TX, USA
71
Likely
GPS III SV10
United Launch Alliance · Vulcan
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
32
Unlikely
Kakushin Rising (JAXA Rideshare)
Rocket Lab · Electron
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
How the Jellyfish Effect Works
One of the most spectacular visual phenomena created by human spaceflight, explained in three steps.
Step 01
Twilight Launch
A rocket launches during the narrow twilight window — when the sun is 6-12 degrees below the horizon. The ground is dark, but the upper atmosphere is still lit.
Step 02
Sunlit Exhaust
As the rocket climbs above 80km, its exhaust plume — water vapor and ice crystals — enters direct sunlight. The frozen particles scatter light through Mie and Rayleigh scattering.
Step 03
The Jellyfish Appears
The expanding, glowing plume creates a luminous form resembling a translucent jellyfish. Observers 200-800km away see this spectacle against the dark sky for several minutes.
Key Scoring Factors
50%
Solar Elevation
-6 to -12 degrees is optimal
10%
Time of Day
Pre-dawn or post-sunset launches
10%
Latitude
Mid-latitudes have longer twilight
10%
Coastal Site
Clear ocean viewing geometry
10%
Provider History
Frequent twilight launch providers
5%
Season
Summer extends twilight duration