For the most part I’m thrilled to be a Cali-guy now. Tonight is an exception. There was a nerdfest this evening with the launch of the LADEE mission from Wallops Island, Virginia. It was promoted as being visible from New England. It was!
NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) is a robotic mission that will orbit the moon to gather detailed information about the lunar atmosphere, conditions near the surface and environmental influences on lunar dust. A thorough understanding of these characteristics will address long-standing unknowns, and help scientists understand other planetary bodies as well.
Most people don’t realize we have launch facilities other than Cape Canaveral. There’s Vandenberg out here on the West Coast, White Sands in New Mexico and Wallops Island.
I can’t remember anything large enough to reach the Moon taking off from Wallops before. It’s usually used for upper atmosphere probes.
Because the launch was aimed to the northeast and took place at night (and a clear night at that) it was easily viewed. I don’t think anyone looking needed prompting to know when they were actually looking at LADEE. It was unmistakable.
I went on Facebook to ask who saw it?
Michael Cody Saw it in Shelton!! You could see a reddish flying dot, little orange trail, and the smoke trail. Pretty cool to watch.
Jim Maher saw it in Derby…it was great streaking across the sky!
Joshua Saari It really gives a better idea of just how fast they move. Amazing.
Mike Gagnon Did in Waterford! Higher in the sky than I thought
Allen Horner I saw it launch on the laptop and rise in the night sky. Beautiful.
Glenn Celentano I watched it. Had a great view from the hilltop in Derby. Was able to follow it for about :40. You could clearly see the rocket booster glowing orange.
There were lots more comments, but this gives you an idea of the impact something like this has.
When I was on TV giving a heads up on events like this was part of my fun. I always heard back after folks followed my advice and just looked up!
Somewhere in the Northeast tonight, someone took a child out to watch–a child who has now been bitten by science.
Nerdy is good.