Bright lights seen streaking across the Triad as SpaceX launches rocket

A bright streak of light reported by viewers early Tuesday morning turned out to have an out-of-this-world explanation.

Before daybreak, people across the region spotted a fast-moving object cutting across the sky, leaving a glowing trail behind it. Viewers quickly began sending photos and videos to WXII 12 News, with some wondering if the mysterious sight could be a comet.

Instead, the object was linked to a SpaceX rocket launch out of Florida.

Because of the rocket's high altitude and expansive vapor trail -- combined with the curvature of the Earth -- the launch was visible across much of the East Coast.

Timing also played a key role in the dramatic display. While it was still dark on the ground, sunlight had already reached higher levels of the atmosphere. The Falcon 9 rocket, which launched at 5:33 a.m., left behind a vapor trail that reflected the sunlight, creating the bright, glowing effect seen in the sky just before sunrise.

According to SpaceFlightNow, the launch marked the 37th Falcon 9 flight of the year and carried SpaceX's 1,000th satellite into orbit.