No, SoCal, That Mysterious Light in the Sky Wasn’t an Alien Invasion

Southern California is used to oddities, but that weird light in the sky above Orange County on Friday night pushed some people right over the edge.

“Freaked the hell out of my grandparents they thought they were witnessing the world ending,” wrote one Twitter user.

The light show seen as far east as Tucson, Arizona, was, actually, a result of Vandenberg Air Force Base launching SpaceX’s Rocket 9. SpaceX was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing transportation costs and, ultimately, colonizing Mars.

Also Read: Is Elon Musk's Rocket-Travel Plan Legit? We Asked a Rocket Scientist

Rocket 9 carried 10 Iridium-4 satellites to be part of an 81-satellite constellation that will orbit earth to deliver data and voice communications.

But people on social media thought the rocket might be something a little more interesting than that… like an alien invasion.

This is what my family & me saw in the sky above us on the way home from Pasadena. My kids loved it. My wife was scared. My first 2 thoughts were:
1.So the aliens aren't hiding anymore.https://t.co/NY0t5ChWKl did Donald Trump do? https://t.co/h6v5ns30Ev

— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) December 23, 2017

It was definitely aliens

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2017

The final frontier is closer than ever. Aliens are among us: https://t.co/1JG2rK0enX. ???? #TheXFiles https://t.co/4vE5sCma3I

— The X-Files (@thexfiles) December 23, 2017

I’d be open to aliens at this point. https://t.co/m8YiTLiL5J

— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) December 23, 2017

We're sending our top people to investigate the aliens. #TheXFiles pic.twitter.com/lsf2heZdLO

— The X-Files (@thexfiles) December 23, 2017

Me finding out it was a #SpaceX launch and not aliens pic.twitter.com/TpsfT3bDBP

— Robert Hernandez (@LittoRiibert_27) December 23, 2017

So the UFO was a SpaceX rocket. I’m simultaneously relieved and disappointed. #ufo #spacex

— Alby L (@albyinla) December 23, 2017

Dear @SpaceX,

Thanks for making me fear for my life before the holidays.

Sincerely,
A #millennial living in a scary world#SpaceX #WWIII pic.twitter.com/RQr8tKfpja

— Leo (@leowebdevo) December 23, 2017

The SpaceX lunch reminds of that one scene in Austin Powers ????#SpaceX pic.twitter.com/OJ0zYQVFNi

— Steven Fernandez???????? (@AwesomeSteve5) December 23, 2017

#SpaceX: Another successful launch
Elon Musk: Successful year for us.
Californians: pic.twitter.com/5q2ZAvr2Oh

— Nathan Platt (@nathanplatt) December 23, 2017

#SpaceX has everyone going crazy, I’m just thinking about all the conspiracy theories ????????

— Chaparron (@JChaparro_23) December 23, 2017

Also Read: Elon Musk Shares SpaceX Blooper Reel: 'How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster' (Video)

Turns out the aliens only came to earth because they "heard the McRib was back." #SpaceX #Falcon9 #CloseEncounters

— Rob Woodyard (@robwoodyard1) December 23, 2017

And, of course, there’s always a skeptic or two:

If you think this is #spacex chances are you also think Nixon called the moon on a landline. pic.twitter.com/959dXzTy7K

— ford hughes (@fordhughes) December 23, 2017

Haters will say it's .@SpaceX #UFO #SpaceX #ufosighting pic.twitter.com/1fOwTo95vv

— Aditi Mayer (@AditiMayer) December 23, 2017

Read original story No, SoCal, That Mysterious Light in the Sky Wasn’t an Alien Invasion At TheWrap