The light came from an artificial noctilucent cloud formed by the exhaust particles of the rocket 's fourth stage about 173 miles high . Dozens in Northeast report seeing diamond - shaped lights in sky . NASA reported it came from exhaust ##s of research rocket . Black hole research rocket will study highest clouds in Earth 's atmosphere .
Dozens in Northeast report seeing diamond - shaped lights in sky . NASA reported it came from exhaust ##s of research rocket . Black hole research rocket will study highest clouds in Earth 's atmosphere .