SpaceX Falcon 9 launch Thursday may be visible from Eastern North Carolina coast

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Florida could be visible from parts of Eastern North Carolina early Thursday morning.

The launch window is scheduled to open at 5:26 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. According to Space Coast Daily, the Falcon 9 rocket is set to carry 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.

If the rocket launches near the start of the window, viewers in Eastern North Carolina should look toward the southeastern sky shortly after liftoff.

Because the launch is scheduled before sunrise, the rocket’s exhaust plume may catch sunlight high in the atmosphere while the ground remains dark. That can create a glowing, fan-shaped effect sometimes called a “space jellyfish.”

Visibility will depend on the launch time, weather conditions, cloud cover and having a clear view of the horizon.

Viewers along the coast may have the best chance to see the rocket trail if the launch happens on schedule.

Launch schedules can change because of weather, technical issues or mission needs. SpaceX lists upcoming missions and launch coverage on its official launches page.