>>The problem is that if jet contrails can look like rocket launch contrails, how are we gonna be able to tell when the real thing is launched ? Wait for the flash ?<<
Simple, really, those that see it from north, south, east and west will all see what looks like a rocket launch. If this was a contrail (which is what I believe), then from north and south it would be immediately apparent that that is what it is, meaning nobody would really notice it.
Which is exactly what we have here.
There are a LOT of people living in this vicinity (millions, actually), many of which were MUCH closer to this (if it were a rocket) than the helicopter taking the video. It was also the type of sunset that many would be noticing as “beautiful”, especially tourists. Yet nobody else noticed the rocket? That is not plausible.
I have no idea how many people saw it or did not see it. Cannot argue that point. Can only point out that visibility was not 100 % due to the weather system. And around here people typically do not look at a sun that is close to setting. It tends to blind you when you do that. Causes real problems when driving westward. And sunsets here when the sun starts going below the horizon are very short. Usually about 15 minutes. Amazing actually how fast it sets. Remember hearing a logical explanation for that, but do not remember it off the top of my head.