These lights made big news over the Hawaiian islands Tuesday night..
Twitter and Facebook posts lit up brighter than the lights themselves..
Initially it was rumored that it was a missile launch.
Then the US Navy said they were unaware of any missile launch..
The next day the Department of Defense said it was a missile launch..
10NEWS reports this:
“During the test, a simulated ballistic missile target was acquired, tracked, and engaged by the Aegis Weapon System,” the Department of Defense said. “Several fire control and engagement functions were exercised during the test.”
The Department of Defense said that the primary purpose of the launch was to test the functionality of an Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system. Defense officials called the launch successful.
Interestingly, the now confirmed missile trail over Hawaii looks a little like the much denied incident that occurred off the coast of California in 2010.