[Launch Alert] Saturday Evening Launch

[Launch Alert]

The unusual light show observed last night from California and outlying
areas was the unannounced launch of an unarmed Trident II (D5) submarine
launched ballistic missile. The Trident was launched off of the southern
California coast by the submarine USS Kentucky.

The interesting display was caused by the missile's exhaust plume being
illuminated at high altitude by the Sun's rays after the sun had set for
observers on the ground.

Trident launches occur off of the California coast from time to time.
However, the Navy does not announce in advance that a launch is scheduled.