Mysterious light spotted over California, social media explodes

LOS ANGELES -- Multiple witnesses on Saturday evening reported seeing an unexplained light in the skies above Southern California.

Residents reported seeing the bright phenomenon in Anaheim, Temecula, Rancho Palos Verdes and Santa Monica.

Kern County Fire Department told CBS Los Angeles the light was caused by a test rocket launched at Edwards Air Force Base. However, the Orange County Sheriff's Department is saying the light was a Naval test fire off the coast.

Hundreds of photos and videos have been shared on social media.


 


 

The bright light that streaked across the state and was visible as far away as Nevada and Arizona.

A Navy spokesman told The San Diego Union-Tribune the Navy Strategic Systems Programs conducted the missile test Saturday in the Pacific Test Range northwest of Los Angeles.

Cmdr. Ryan Perry said the launches are conducted on a frequent basis to ensure the continued reliability of the system and that information about such test launches is classified prior to the launch.

The lack of information about the streak of light led to a flurry of calls to law enforcement agencies and lit up social media as people posted video of the celestial sight.