Mysterious 'Norway Spiral' UFO Was Russian Rocket

(Sky News) - An out-of-control Russian rocket has been blamed for sparking fears Wednesday that a UFO had taken to the skies above Norway.

Spectacular spirals of light were seen over the north of the country, prompting theories they were caused by a meteor, the northern lights or even aliens.

But now Russia has confirmed that its latest test-firing of a new intercontinental missile ended in failure - at the same time observers witnessed the early morning light show.

The submarine-launched missile was from the Dmitry Donskoi submarine in the White Sea early Wednesday, according to Russian newspapers.

Russian defense analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said the images seen over Norway were consistent with a missile failure.

"Such lights and clouds appear from time to time when a missile fails in the upper layers of the atmosphere and have been reported before," he said.

"At least this failed test made some nice fireworks for the Norwegians."

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Technology website Gizmodo created a computer simulation showing how a rocket spiraling out of control could create such a display: