Mysterious glow spotted over Hawaii ‘caused by missile launch’

THESE bizarre lights filled the skies over Hawaii, terrifying residents and titillating UFO watchers. But the US Government reckons they are anything but strange.

THEY were the lights that left some people a little alarmed and UFO believers very excited.

But the strange patterns that appeared over Hawaii on Tuesday night had nothing to do with extraterrestrial phenomena, at least as far as officials are concerned.

Residents were initially left mystified when squiggly lines appeared in the sky for a few minutes shortly after sunset.

Strange zigzagging lights reported all around Hawaii skies last night ... Wow pic.twitter.com/bROyQnfkeo

They have come for us! #Area808 MT @HawaiiNewsNow: Mysterious lights appear over Hawaii: http://t.co/66KaZoCzEb #HINews

Some speculated it was a UFO, while others remained unconvinced and saw the funny side of the hysteria.

RT @KateWardBustle: See? Even the aliens want to move to Hawaii. http://t.co/kYUCzD2qhH via @bustle -- Of course this is by @lark

What those strange lights in the sky over Hawaii really were @ViviHahn . pic.twitter.com/fYQlQq5AL6

So apparently they're strange lights floating over a military base in hawaii #UFO pic.twitter.com/NQlS5TyuHk

Either way the US Department of Defence quickly squashed the talk, revealing the spectacular trail was the result of a missile launch from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands on Kauai.

Launches can cause spectacular light trails over the sky known as Twilight phenomenon, Chron.com reported.

“During the test, a simulated ballistic missile target was acquired, tracked, and engaged by the Aegis Weapon System,” a spokesman for the Department of Defense told 10 News.

“Several fire control and engagement functions were exercised during the test.”

Officials confirmed the launch was designed to test the functionality of its Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defence system.