September 11:
LADEE Launch Streak
Image Credit &
Copyright:
Jeff Berkes
Explanation:
On September 6, a starry night and the Milky Way
witnessed the
launch of a Minotaur V rocket
from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia.
So did
a large part of the
eastern
United States, as the spectacular night launch was
easily visible even from light polluted
urban areas.
This 35 second exposure captures part of the
rocket's initial launch streak and 2nd stage ignition flare along with
a fiery reflection in calm waters.
The stunning view faces south and west from a vantage point overlooking
Sinepuxent Bay in Maryland about 20 miles north of the launch pad.
Heading east over the Atlantic, the multi-stage rocket placed LADEE, the
Lunar
Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer,
into a highly elliptical Earth orbit
to begin
its journey
to the Moon.
Also, during this launch, NASA
captured an image of an unlucky frog also being launched.
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