For one reason or another, we’ve never been able to see a shuttle go off from our back yard. Either launch was delayed, we were working, overcast, it was at night, whatever. Other than the launch we went to in the Spring, we’ve not seen a Shuttle launch. A friend had told me we could see it in Ocala on a clear day, even 100 miles away, and SHE WAS RIGHT! So after setting timers and getting camera and tripod ready, Russel and I were ready and waiting for lift off right outside our back screen porch. So, here’s what we saw from 98.5 miles away. As always, click on the pic to see more detail.
This is very first sighting. You can’t hardly see it, but it right in middle, just over the trees. Ugly fence is not ours.
You go, girl! I got goose bumps!
Russel had to move the tripod as Atlantis was disappearing into the trees!
This is last pic before trail ended. Atlantis was moving so fast and away at that point, she just winked out. Could look up statistics and say how far and how fast, but all you need to know is from start to finish, less than two minutes to climb out of our sight. Miles and miles per second.
The vapor trail is all we were left with after Atlantis had booked out into orbit. Perfect launch on a perfect day!
There’s only five more Shuttle launches before fleet is retired. I want to be where I can hear one go and feel the Earth move. Not an unreasonable request, I think.
Thanks for stopping by. Comments always welcome.
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((¸¸.·´*~Kathy.·´*)****¨¨))
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