At least in the case of model rockets and military ordinance. Modern space-faring rockets don't always rely on fins as they can reposition their individual exhaust nozzles instead.

Rocket launches can create eerie patterns in the sky, from undulating bright-blue spirals to glowing “jellyfish” blobs. Here’s why they happen and how to spot them.

Rocket launches can create eerie patterns in the sky, from undulating bright-blue spirals to glowing “jellyfish” blobs. Here’s why they happen and how to spot them.

An illuminated spiral was spotted floating through the sky in the United Kingdom Monday night. The swirl was likely formed by a SpaceX rocket's exhaust, the U.K.'s national meteorological service ...

A stunning spiral appeared in the night sky above the UK and parts of Europe, sparking curiosity and awe. The unusual phenomenon is believed to have been caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch ...

Space Mysterious blue spiral spotted across Europe caused by SpaceX rocket By Steven Yablonski, FOX Weather Published March 26, 2025, 3:48 a.m. ET ...

This is likely linked to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched earlier today.” A subsequent post, cited by Accuweather, elaborated: “A mesmerizing blue spiral appeared in Europe’s night sky ...

A blue and white spiral spotted in the skies above numerous European countries was likely created by frozen fuel from a SpaceX rocket, according to weather forecasters.

A giant whirlpool of light, known as a "SpaceX spiral," was recently spotted swirling across the night sky over Europe as a Falcon 9 rocket prepared to reenter Earth's atmosphere after deploying ...

Spectacular blue spiral light from SpaceX rocket captured on video A spectacular spiraling blue light was captured in the sky from fuel off the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Monday.

This is likely to be caused by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched earlier today. The rocket's frozen exhaust plume appears to be spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting the sunlight, causing ...