It might be helpful to emphasize for those in position to see it, that this launch has the potential to put on a spectacular sky display. If it goes near sunset or after sunset, there will be the twilight effect with backlighting of the exhaust plume. Going by previous launches of this type, the launch trajectory is steep and the missile goes up to 900 (?) miles into space before starting back down into the atmosphere. This, of course, means a higher above the horizon display compared to say a Delta II orbital launch from Vandenberg. Due to these factors, in the past, viewers, not only in California, but as far away as Arizona, Nevada, northwestern Mexico, even Utah have been able to see this type of launch. If it launches late, say closer to 10 PM PDT compared to say 8:30 PM, then the potential for a great display is less since the sun is much farther below the horizon and the missile might not hit sunlight until the final stage or perhaps not at all at say 9:59 PM. I'm sure Rob Matson or Randy John or other experts on this list could work that out if they're so inclined. Don't bother looking at the official Vandenberg AFB web site for info as they don't mention it at all, I presume because it is a classified mission. Their launch schedule is entitled "VAFB Unclassified Launch Schedule". But if you want to look anyway: http://mocc.vafb.af.mil/launchsched.asp Here is a URL for an unofficial site (SoCal Sky Lights) with some more info: http://schnapp.org/sky/sky_vandenberg.html -- Jake Rees Burbank, California NetZero Platinum No Banner Ads and Unlimited Access Sign Up Today - Only $9.95 per month! http://www.netzero.net ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Jul 14 2001 - 03:04:34 PDT