Amazing light show as Soyuz rocket takes British and US astronauts to space

Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko arrived at the International Space Station with astronauts Major Tim Peake, from the United Kingdom, and Tim Kopra, from the US.

But soon after blast-off, their Soyuz TMA-19M rocket made a spectacular journey across the Siberian night sky, with a dazzling display caught on camera by residents in Kemerovo and Altai regions as well as the republics of Altai and Khakassia.

We show some of the best images of the radiant display, which led some to think they had seen a UFO. In fact, the local media in many regions had alerted Siberians to the expected rocket display in advance, and it didn't disappoint.

'So beautiful,' said one. 'Like watching Interstellar,' said another. 

Major Tim - the first British astronaut for a generation - described his journey and the amazing views he saw from his Russian rocket. 

'It was a beautiful launch and we got launched straight into night and got on with the work,' he said. 'The first sunrise was absolutely spectacular, and we also got the benefit of a moonrise which was beautiful to see.'

But his trail across the Siberian sky was also worth a mention.