2005-09-22 18:31:38.231369+00 by Dan Lyke 7 comments
Oh yeah: About three years ago I snapped some pictures of a rocket launch out of Vandenberg that my neighbors had hollered at me to come out of the house and see. Happens again at 7:24 tonight. I think I'm going to arrange to be on the east side of White's Hill so we've got less of a chance of fog. Worth stepping outside for if you happen to be on this coast.
[ related topics: Photography Bay Area Space & Astronomy ]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2005-09-22 20:53:53.34204+00 by: Diane Reese
Which direction should we look? (Sorry, Vandenberg doesn't give me the clues I need.)
#Comment Re: made: 2005-09-22 22:01:42.439046+00 by: Dan Lyke
South. Vandenberg is on the coast just south of Pismo Beach and west-northwest of Santa Barbara. But if you can see it at all you'll see it, you're looking for the setting sun lighting up the exhaust trail.
#Comment Re: made: 2005-09-23 02:40:38.291024+00 by: Diane Reese [edit history]
Didn't see anything -- fairly clear sky, a few little wispy clouds but nothing to speak of really. Was standing out in the clearing from 7:20 - 7:40, nothing showed up. Oh well, it was fun to look for. (Addendum: went back out at 7:42, stayed out for another 10 min., still nothing. Website said it should be visible as far away as Nevada and Mexico. Bummer.)
#Comment Re: made: 2005-09-23 14:06:05.588516+00 by: Dan Lyke
Yep, nothing here either.
#Comment Re: made: 2005-09-23 14:08:34.375054+00 by: Dan Lyke
Doc Searls has some pictures, as does Susan Kitchens, but both of them were a lot closer.
#Comment Re: made: 2005-09-23 18:01:16.874582+00 by: Diane Reese
OK, we'll try again for the next one in October.
#Comment Re: made: 2005-09-24 16:11:27.515042+00 by: Mars Saxman
I saw a Vandenberg launch once, back when I lived in Sacramento; it was sometime in the late '80s, I had no idea what was going on, and my first thought was that nuclear Armageddon had begun. Most eerie; no sound, just a brilliant pinpoint slowly arcing across the sky atop a clear white smoke trail.