LOS ANGELES --
A rocket launch left hundreds of people perplexed as it caused a bright light to streak across the sky Saturday night.The U.S. Coast Guard Sector of Los Angeles and Long Beach confirmed it was a rocket launched from a Naval base.
Residents from Ventura to as far as Nevada and Arizona took photos and videos of the strange phenomenon around 6 p.m.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department tweeted out that the light was a test conducted by the U.S. Navy off the coast.
#OCSDPIO: Light seen in OC sky was confirmed through JWA tower to be a Naval test fire off the coast. No further details.
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSD) November 8, 2015
The Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff's Station tweeted that there were military exercises being performed off the coast of Catalina Island, while an astronomer at Griffith Observatory said it could be a comet or meteor.
#LATraffic Alert. Military exercises off of Catalina Island. Lights and lasers can be seen from beach and coastline. No need to call 911
— LASD Lost Hills Stn. (@LHSLASD) November 8, 2015
Jonathon Payne said the light, believed to be a single comet, is a precursor to the Taurid meteor shower that is expected this month. When a comet comes into the atmosphere, it is normal for there to be a white light and then a blue and green streak, according to Payne.
Vandenberg Air Force Base did not launch any rockets Saturday evening, according to a representative.
Can someone explain what this bright light over LA's sky is? @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/Rddvjnf9Tt
— Mayde Gomez (@ABC7Mayde) November 8, 2015
#ABC7Eyewitness pic.twitter.com/vRJRGGCWZf
— Carissa Basile (@carissa_basile) November 8, 2015
@ABC7 this was the beginning of it thought it was a shooting star #abc7eyewitness pic.twitter.com/3l3jRIeZJd
— Bryan Gonzalez (@B_Gonzalez32) November 8, 2015