11
Unlikely
Kosmos (Unknown Payload)
Russian Space Forces · Angara 1.2
Thu, Apr 23, 2026 · 08:29 AM UTCPlesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation
Never Miss the Glow
Track rocket launches that paint glowing jellyfish across twilight skies. Know exactly when and where to look.
77score
Next Jellyfish Launch
Amazon Leo (LE-02)
Arianespace · Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 08:51 AM UTC
04DAYS
05HRS
07MIN
54SEC
Upcoming Launches
Each launch is scored for jellyfish effect probability based on solar position, twilight conditions, and launch site.
19
Unlikely
Unknown Payload
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation · Long March 2D
Fri, Apr 24, 2026 · 06:30 AM UTCXichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
71
Likely
Unknown Payload
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation · Long March 6
Sat, Apr 25, 2026 · 12:15 PM UTCTaiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
19
Unlikely
Progress MS-34 (95P)
Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) · Soyuz 2.1a
Sat, Apr 25, 2026 · 10:21 PM UTCBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
19
Unlikely
Demo Flight
RKK Energiya · Soyuz-5
Sun, Apr 26, 2026 · 11:00 AM UTCBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
44
Possible
Starlink Group 17-16
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Sun, Apr 26, 2026 · 02:00 PM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
34
Unlikely
ViaSat-3 F3 (ViaSat-3 Asia-Pacific)
SpaceX · Falcon Heavy
Mon, Apr 27, 2026 · 02:21 PM UTCKennedy Space Center, FL, USA
72
Likely
Amazon Leo (LA-06)
United Launch Alliance · Atlas V 551
Tue, Apr 28, 2026 · 12:52 AM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
77
Likely
Amazon Leo (LE-02)
Arianespace · Ariane 64
Tue, Apr 28, 2026 · 08:51 AM UTCGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
21
Unlikely
Demo Flight
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation · Long March 10B
Thu, Apr 30, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCWenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
21
Unlikely
Unknown Payload
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation · Long March 7A
Thu, Apr 30, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCWenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
51
Possible
16 x Rassvet-3
Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) · Soyuz 2.1b
Thu, Apr 30, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCPlesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation
29
Unlikely
Unknown Payload
LandSpace · Zhuque-2E
Thu, Apr 30, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
42
Possible
Starlink Group 17-36
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Thu, Apr 30, 2026 · 02:00 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
38
Possible
Starlink Group 10-38
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Fri, May 1, 2026 · 05:33 PM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
46
Possible
Starlink Group 17-29
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Wed, May 6, 2026 · 02:00 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
46
Possible
Dragon CRS-2 SpX-34
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Tue, May 12, 2026 · 11:00 PM UTCCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
22
Unlikely
Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)
Avio S.p.A · Vega-C
Tue, May 19, 2026 · 03:52 AM UTCGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
32
Unlikely
StriX Launch 9
Rocket Lab · Electron
Sun, May 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
32
Unlikely
The Grain Goddess Provides (iQPS Launch 7)
Rocket Lab · Electron
Sun, May 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
38
Possible
CAS500-2 & Others
SpaceX · Falcon 9
Sun, May 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
23
Unlikely
Demo Flight
Agency for Defense Development · South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV
Sun, May 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCSea Launch
15
Unlikely
Onward and Upward
Isar Aerospace · Spectrum
Sun, May 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCAndøya Spaceport
39
Possible
Flight 12
SpaceX · Starship
Sun, May 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCSpaceX Starbase, TX, USA
25
Unlikely
Amazon Leo (LE-03)
Arianespace · Ariane 64
Sun, May 31, 2026 · 12:00 AM UTCGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
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