TAMPA, Fla. ( WFLA ) — Residents in Tampa Bay, Florida were confounded after seeing what seemed to be an explosion in the sky around Thursday’s sunset.

The explosion appeared to be related to SpaceX’s failed Starship launch from Boca Chica, Texas.

Florida airports on ground stop due to space debris from Starship launch

During SpaceX’s eighth test flight, the company lost contact with Starship. This was not the first time the Starship exploded, with the seventh test flight ending the same way.

The Starship’s demise was spotted by residents across Florida.

“What the [expletive] is that?” said Harleen Cruz, as she recorded the explosion while near the University of South Florida. “Oh my God.”

Meanwhile, Paul Reinhardt recorded the explosion while in Madeira Beach.

“It’s like a planet or a space station or comet,” he said.

Others captured the moment in photos, as seen below.

Space debris from the SpaceX explosion also grounded flights at three Florida airports , with some of their flights being diverted to Tampa International Airport.

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