This imagery is popular because of the surreal contrast between the quiet, orderly clouds and the chaotic energy of the launch.
Suggest for creating or using this type of sky overlay. Rocket Above The Clouds (Sky Overlay)
The rocket’s plume can create a long shadow on top of the clouds. This imagery is popular because of the surreal
Scientists have even launched sounding rockets to intentionally create colorful artificial clouds in the upper atmosphere to study atmospheric winds. Artistic and Real-World Usage in high-altitude scenarios
Launches around sunrise or sunset can create "night-shining" clouds, where the exhaust plumes are illuminated by the sun, even when the ground is dark.
When a rocket punches through a thick, gray cloud deck, it often creates a dramatic contrast, appearing to shoot from dark, overcast conditions into a clear, bright blue or black sky, leaving behind a sharp, dark trail.
Sometimes, in high-altitude scenarios, the exhaust plume takes on a circular, expanding shape due to reduced air pressure. The Scientific "Above the Clouds" Environment