I need to stress that folks up this way should not expect much. Between the distance and the fact the plume will not be back lit the best one can expect is maybe a faint light moving skyward. Binoculars almost certainly required. patrick On 27 Oct 2011, at 22:56, Gigi Giles wrote:
Hi, thanks. Many years ago, while standing on the beach (north shore) looking south, I saw a gorgeous bright object with a green tail. It slowly crossed the sky from SW to SE. This was just after sunset, but still very light outside. I believe it was from Vandenberg. I hope I can see something like that tonight! Gigi
--- On Thu, 10/27/11, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:
From: Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Vandenberg launch To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 7:41 PM
Hi Gigi,
On 27 Oct 2011, at 20:31, Gigi Giles wrote:
Hi everyone, Will I be able to see the Vandenburg satellite launch from my location on the north shore of Lake Tahoe (around 2:48 PDT, 28 Oct)? Thanks, Gigi
That will depend on your local circumstances. Best to observe from a dark sky site. Since the lighting on this launch will not be ideal you (or we in Utah) wont be able to see the exhaust plume. However, we might be able to see the exhaust flame during the boost phase. Also you'll want to observe from a location with a low, flat horizon in the direction of VAFB.
patrick