Iridium Launch & Flare from VAFB

JRBURCA@aol.com
Sun, 9 Nov 1997 03:55:08 -0500 (EST) 

I saw the Delta 2/Iridium launch from the public viewing area at
the Weather Station just off base about 5 or 6 miles from the
launch pad (Vandenberg).  It was a beautiful launch!  It was dark
twilight and there were only a few clouds around but didn't interfere
with the viewing and made it prettier if anything.  We then saw the
bright Iridium flare just west of Jupiter 6 min. after the launch at about 
5:40 PM PST.  It must have been -4 or so in magnitude.  Thanks for 
the flare tip Craig.  I was aware of it but others might not have been.  

I made a home video of the launch and flare with a hand-held
camcorder.  I would like to share this with the interested
SeeSaters and am willing to dub and mail copies to some but 
can't absolutely promise anything since I have no idea how many
would show interest.  And/or if anyone can have it converted to
a .MOV file or whatever and have it linked on the VSOHP or
Brian Webb's Space Page,  I would be glad to send a VHS copy.  
My camera work turned out better than expected with the launch,
but with the flare,  I just caught max.flare-to-flare down missing the 
flaring-to-max. and it was rather shaky.  I also have a recording
of the Iridium launch satellite feed off my home big dish system.
The video is a bit noisy because it needed to be fine-tuned and
nobody was home to do it but it is watchable.  My home video 
gives the perspective of a Joe Schmo just out to see a launch
which I think is kind of neat.  Whereas the satellite feed has the
professional cameras, close-ups, long lenses, narration and such 
which is also cool.  Another good thing about the home video is 
that you hear the crowd reaction and the thundering roar which is
lacking on the satellite feed.

If interested, please send private e-mail rather than a post.  
Thanks.

I may be able to see these just launched Iridiums Sunday evening
at about 5:35 PM PST.  I'm going to look with binoculars but need
to run the latest TLE's posted in SeeSat.  I'll report if I see anything.

Jake Rees
Burbank, California, USA
(posting at approx. 08:55 UTC Nov. 9)