A strange cloud formed after a rocket launch and mystified those who saw it

Extraterrestrial theories aside, Twitter and Instagram users took some amazing shots of the sky following the rocket's launch, which was carrying a Navy communications satellite designed to help troops make calls and send texts, video, and other data.

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Awesome long exposure shot of Atlas V rocket as it launches from Cape Canaveral Florida. pic.twitter.com/MH9oElPI9c

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The #AtlasV launch in Florida brought some stunning views http://t.co/jq2nm8IFV2 pic.twitter.com/0sbhzKdZlh

But what caused the cloud to look like this?

According to a post on SpaceWeather.com, this tear-drop shaped plume resulted from the rocket creating a thin, wispy, man-made cloud called a noctilucent cloud. These types of clouds, which hover in the air like Dementors from Harry Potter, are also called "night shining" clouds.

"Water vapor in the rocket's exhaust crystallized in the high atmosphere, creating an icy cloud that turned blue when it was hit by the rays of the morning sun," the post on SpaceWeather.com says. "Years ago, space shuttle launches produced similar displays."

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Central Florida News 13 meteorologist Maureen McCann said in a video that the cloud's incredible illumination likely came from the pre-dawn sun.

McCann also notes that the plume looks narrow at the surface but more spread out at the top. That's probably because strong winds high up in the atmosphere dispersed the plume there.

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Check out more beautiful images of the launch on Twitter and Instagram.