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 (@Riibert27) 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 (he/him) (@leowebdevo) December 23, 2017

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

— Steven 🫀🕊 (@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 😂😂

— El Chaparron (@elfairladyJ) 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

— The Notorious ROY G BIV (@robwoodyard1) December 23, 2017

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

https://twitter.com/fordhughes/status/944394958278156290

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

— Aditi Mayer (@AditiMayer) December 23, 2017

8 Alien Invasion Movies to Watch on 70th Anniversary of Roswell UFO Incident (Photos)

Alien existence hasn't been proven, but these films encourage our imagination. What better way to celebrate than with an alien invasion movie marathon? Here are eight alien-centric films to watch to mark the occasion.
Paramount/Twentieth Century Fox
"Independence Day: Resurgence"

Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman return in this sequel to the 1996 original film. This time around, the threat of an impending alien invasion is even greater. The spaceship is bigger... and so is the destruction it leaves behind.

Also Read: ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ Review: Will Smith Is Sorely Missed in This Fun-Deficient Sequel
Twentieth Century Fox
"Pacific Rim"

Idris Elba and Charlie Hunnam don giant robot suits to defend the earth from invading monsters, called "kaiju," in this Guillermo del Toro-directed film. A sequel is set to be released in early 2018.

Also Read: ‘Pacific Rim’ Review: There Be Monsters in Here Somewhere
"Men in Black"

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones take down aliens disguised as humans in this action comedy, which was released 20 years ago today. Smith and Jones went on to star in two sequels: "Men in Black 2" and "Men in Black 3."
"Edge of Tomorrow"

"Live. Die. Repeat" is the tagline and basic plot of "Edge of Tomorrow." Tom Cruise stars as a man who must save the earth from beings called "Mimics" all while stuck in a time loop.

Also Read: ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ Reviews: Tom Cruise Kills It
"Dreamcatcher"

Based on a Stephen King novel of the same name, "Dreamcatcher" tells the story of four psychic friends whose log cabin getaway goes terribly wrong when an alien attacks. It is also considered one of the worst movies of all time. Brush that critique aside and watch this one as comic relief to the scarier ones on the list.
Warner Bros/Slash Film
"Cloverfield"

When a horde of aliens attacks New York City, a group of friends goes on a harrowing trek through dark tunnels and creature-infested streets to find safety. A second film set in the same universe, "10 Cloverfield Lane," was released in 2016.
Paramount
"Mars Attacks!"

Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!" is another alien invasion flick that is more comedy than thriller. CGI martians kill scores of people after misunderstanding a human symbol of peace (a white dove) as a declaration of war.
YouTube
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers"

Though not very popular during its initial 1956 release, this film has since become a sci-fi cult classic. Aliens take the form of "pod people" who replicate and eventually try to wipe out humanity.
Getty Images

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July 8, 1947, the Roswell Daily Record reported the ”capture“ of a ”flying saucer“… and the rest is conspiracy theories history

Alien existence hasn't been proven, but these films encourage our imagination. What better way to celebrate than with an alien invasion movie marathon? Here are eight alien-centric films to watch to mark the occasion.

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8 Alien Invasion Movies to Watch on 70th Anniversary of Roswell UFO Incident (Photos)

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