I was on a layover in San Luis Obispo, CA maybe 12 years ago, and watched a launch of a anti-missile missile headed to the South Pacific. It was maybe 1/2 hour after sunset and left the most amazing and lingering light show I have EVER seen! Tough to describe how the rocket cone suddenly expanded to a large bluish white and expanding halo with a bright white/blue pinpoint in the center. The halo lingered and expanded for maybe 10-15 minutes before fading away. By then, I believe the missile was nearly at its target in the South Pacific.