Norwegian Mystery Spiral!

by | Dec 10, 2009 | COMMUNITY

Initially reported as an unknown phenomenon (for very good reasons), I must admit that the videos of this event are spectacular, if poorly shot. Speculation as to the cause has ranged from wormholes to aliens welcoming Barack Obama (no, really). The actual cause, apparently, is a Russian suborbital missile that failed quickly after launch, and went into a spiral. This explanation is the least fun, but the video is still great (although it would’ve been nice if someone could’ve happened to be rolling with a 5D Mk. II)



Initially reported as an unknown phenomenon (for very good reasons), I must admit that the videos of this event are spectacular, if poorly shot. Speculation as to the cause has ranged from wormholes to aliens welcoming Barack Obama (no, really). The actual cause, apparently, is a Russian suborbital missile that failed quickly after launch, and went into a spiral. This explanation is the least fun, but the video is still great (although it would’ve been nice if someone could’ve happened to be rolling with a 5D Mk. II)

RVA Staff

RVA Staff

Since 2005, the dedicated team at RVA Magazine, known as RVA Staff, has been delivering the cultural news that matters in Richmond, VA. This talented group of professionals is committed to keeping you informed about the events and happenings in the city.




more in community

Redefining Dry January, RVA Style

The start of every New Year often comes with people making resolutions to do more exercise, choose better eating habits, and make changes to improve one’s life. One of the newer traditions in recent years has been Dry January, which started in England but has spread...

Venue Turns 30 | The Richmond Skate Shop Keeps Rolling

For 30 years, Venue Skateboards has been part of the Richmond story—a skate shop that’s never been just a skate shop. Since 1994, it’s been a meeting place, a community hub, and a home for skaters from all over the city. Kim and Maury Blankenship didn’t set out to...

Virginia Delegates Highlight Abuse at Virginia Prison

On Wednesday afternoon, Virginia Delegates Mike Jones and Holly Seibold addressed a crowd in freezing weather at a rally about the abuse at Red Onion Prison. This is an issue that The Virginia Defenders have been leading on, reporting about prisoners who are holding...

Richmond’s Water Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for Aging Infrastructure

Richmond is no stranger to infrastructure challenges, but the recent water crisis has brought the city’s water treatment plant under intense scrutiny. A winter storm that caused a power outage at the plant quickly escalated into a disaster, leaving thousands of...

Opinion | Water Fiasco’s Silver Lining? by Paul Goldman

Mayor Danny Avula is at a defining moment. The same for the 2004 Elected Mayor law. Here’s why. Then a win-win-win. The 16-year era of the race-baiting politics of former Mayors Dwight Jones and Levar Stoney needs to come to an end. They and their cronies have used...

RVA Magazine 20 Years | Stories from 2005

As we look back on 20 years of publishing RVA Magazine, we’re diving into our origins, beginning with our official launch in 2005. That year marked the debut of RVA Magazine, Issue 1, Volume 1, and our April 15th kickoff event at Gallery5. In the process of archiving,...

Topics: