A rocket show over far West Texas
A Falcon 9 Launch Lights Up the Big Bend Sky! Last night, one of our guests was able to capture a spectacular photo of a Falcon 9 rocket launch streaking across the western sky—right here from Terlingua Ghost Town Rentals & RV Park! Thanks for the picture Brian! The next launch date that might grace our skies is Thursday October, 30th.
Last night’s Launch
The rocket, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, was carrying a fresh batch of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. Even though the launch site sits more than 900 miles away, the glowing exhaust plume illuminated the upper atmosphere. It was visible across parts of West Texas, including Big Bend National Park and our very own desert skies here in Terlingua.
How can a rocket launch be seen in Texas?
It sounds unbelievable—but it’s true.
When SpaceX launches from Vandenberg, the rocket often ascends into polar or sun-synchronous orbits. It heads almost straight south along the Pacific coast. When the timing aligns—usually during twilight launches just after sunset—the rocket’s exhaust plume catches sunlight high above Earth’s shadow.
How it looks from our RV Park:
This creates a glowing, comet-like trail that can stretch hundreds or even thousands of miles across the sky. Under Big Bend’s pristine dark-sky conditions, that high-altitude glow stands out brilliantly. It contrasts against the desert twilight, making it visible to lucky observers far to the east.
Falcon 9 Launches Light Up the Big Bend Sky. Why Terlingua is perfect for spotting rocket launches.
Here in Terlingua Ghost Town, our unobstructed western horizon and minimal light pollution make us an ideal location. We are in a perfect location to witness distant sky events like these. Every now and then, the universe (and a little human engineering) gifts us with an unexpected space show.
A spectacular view
These twilight rocket plumes appear as shimmering clouds, glowing white or blue, sometimes expanding across the horizon. They’ve been seen as far away as El Paso, Las Cruces, and now—right here at our RV park.
How to watch the next Falcon 9 launch from Terlingua
Check Launch Schedules: Follow upcoming SpaceX missions from Vandenberg Space Force Base (SLC-4E)on SpaceLaunchSchedule.com or spaceflightnow.com
Timing
Timing Is Key: Look for launches scheduled about 30–60 minutes after local sunset (Pacific Time). This lighting condition creates the best chance for the “twilight phenomenon.”
Which way to look?
Face West: From Terlingua, look toward the western horizon. The glowing plume will often appear low in the sky and travel upward or southward.
Bring a Camera: Use a wide-angle lens, high ISO, and 3–10 second exposures to capture the trail. Desert silhouettes make great foregrounds!
The perfect blend of Nature and Technology
Moments like these are what make Big Bend such a magical place—where ancient desert landscapes meet the frontier of space exploration. Under some of the darkest skies in North America, guests can experience both natural celestial wonders and the cutting-edge achievements of modern spaceflight. All of this in one unforgettable night.
Updates
Stay tuned and follow Terlingua Ghost Town and Big Bend After Dark on social media. We will provide alerts about upcoming rocket launches, meteor showers, and special celestial and stargazing events.
Who knows? On your next visit, you might just witness the peak of a meteor shower, a new comet, and now even a Falcon 9 lighting up the desert sky.