Residents of Otago were left in awe as a bright, expanding light travelled across the night sky
The light was recorded shooting across the sky at around 7pm on Friday.
Tūhura Otago Museum Director and astronomer Dr Ian Griffin caught the moment on his security camera, calling it “amazing” and “unexpected”.
He knew exactly what it was and was quick to shut down speculation about otherworldly visitors.
“This morning at the remembrance, there was some murmuring about reporting of a UFO. It’s definitely not a UFO. It’s definitely a rocket,” he said.
Griffin said the rocket had launched from China at 6.30pm, around half an hour before it could be seen over Otago, and that it was headed higher into orbit.
China’s Long March-2D launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the afternoon (Beijing time), carrying satellites into orbit.
He explained to 1News what could actually be seen in the footage.
“If you look closely at the video, you can see two, littler stages trailing behind it – this is the launching gear.
“It’s travelling into orbit to launch Chinese internet satellites.”
Griffin said the rocket followed a Southwest flight path, travelling right over New Zealand.
“You would’ve been able to see it as far as Northland, but it was especially bright over Otago as it was high enough that its fuel cloud was illuminated by the sun.”
Griffin clarified that the unusual shape, which some had described as a ‘doughnut,’ was simply fuel that had escaped.