Credit & Copyright: Michael Seeley
Explanation:
This single, 251-second long exposure follows the early flight of an
Atlas V rocket
on August 8, streaking eastward
toward the dawn from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, planet Earth.
The launch of the United Launch Alliance rocket was
at 6:13am local time.
Sunrise was not until 6:48am, but the rocket's downrange plume
at altitude is brightly lit by the Sun still just
below the eastern horizon.
Waters of the Indian River Lagoon in Palm Shores, Forida
reflect subtle colors and warming glow of the otherwise calm,
predawn sky.
The mighty
Atlas rocket carried a
military communications satellite into Earth orbit.
Of course, this weekend the streaks you see in clear skies
before the dawn could be
Perseid
Meteors.
Watch:
Perseid Meteor
Shower
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: rocket
Publications with words: rocket
See also: