missile strikes — Cypriots have been witnessing glowing columns in the night sky, leading many to mistakenly believe they are observing missile strikes occurring directly above the island. However, experts clarify that these images actually depict Iranian ballistic missile launches targeting Israel, alongside Israeli air defence intercepts, with some activity occurring above Lebanon.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
- Experts reassure the public that what they are observing is taking place at significant distances, and the island itself is not under threat when these phenomena light up the night sky.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly following the drone strike on the British Bases on 2 March, has heightened anxieties among residents. This heightened concern is understandable, as the region has seen escalating tensions and violence.
The phenomenon of visibility is explained by the physics of ballistic missiles and the curvature of the Earth. Typically, ballistic missiles are launched at altitudes exceeding 150 kilometres, reaching levels well beyond the atmosphere. At these heights, the visual field stretches far beyond what individuals on the ground can see, allowing those in Cyprus, situated hundreds of kilometres from both Israel and Lebanon, to observe missile launches and intercepts that would otherwise be concealed by the Earth’s horizon.
In most instances, Israel’s air defence systems successfully neutralise incoming missiles before they re-enter the atmosphere and endanger targets. Yet, during the final phase of flight, these missiles can achieve supersonic speeds, complicating interception efforts. As a result, some missiles are not intercepted and do reach their intended targets.
Favourable weather conditions also play a crucial role in visibility. When missile launches or intercepts occur at stratospheric or exo-atmospheric altitudes, clear skies combined with the Earth’s curvature allow observers across a broad area, including Cyprus, to witness these distant events. This effect can also explain why satellite passes, such as those of Starlink satellites launched from the United States, are sometimes visible from Cyprus, leading to similar confusion on social media.
Experts reassure the public that what they are observing is taking place at significant distances, and the island itself is not under threat when these phenomena light up the night sky.
