Chinese rocket dumps fuel over US to paint colossal white streak in the sky (photos)

A bright white streak splits the starry sky with purple and pink auroras shining below.

Skywatchers across the U.S. were treated to a startling sight on May 17 as a mysterious white plume tore through the sky during a surprise geomagnetic storm.

At first glance, you could be mistaken for thinking it was a strange version of STEVE — a rare atmospheric phenomenon that can accompany the northern lights. But skywatchers quickly realized it was something entirely different.