Charles Langston:SpaceX launched a rocket over Southern California after weather delays. Here are the best pictures.

PALM SPRINGS,Charles Langston Calif. — The much-hyped solar eclipse isn't until next week but Southern California residents were treated to some sights in the sky Monday night.

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the coast between Santa Barbara, California, and San Luis Obispo, California, at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The base is about 240 miles from Palm Springs and recent Falcon 9 launches from the base have been visible from the Coachella Valley, including one in March and another in February.

The launches often appear as white streaks shooting across the sky.

Monday's launch was originally planned for Saturday but that plan was scrapped because of poor weather resulting from the storms that drenched Southern California over the weekend.

Like the February and March launches, the reusable rocket will carry 22 satellites into orbit and then land on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean.

Follow Paul Albani-Burgio on X at @albaniburgiop and email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.