NASA Will Launch A Sounding Rocket At Wallops Island

A sounding rocket will be launched tomorrow night at Wallops Island Flight Facility in Virginia , for many of us the last launch we watched was the Antares.  That one blew up just above the launch pad.  This sounding rocket is a big deal for NASA, “Such research has greatly aided understanding of the planet’s near-space environment, NASA officials said ”  It is also a big deal for observers, because you will be able to see it release its barium payload and create bright, multicolored clouds in the atmosphere.  These clouds are made up of barium and a bit of strontium which reacts with the sunlight allowing scientists to track the movement of charged particles in the ionosphere.  Every once in a while these launches are mistaken for UFOs and a lot of phone calls are made.  I have seen a few sounding rockets launched and it looks like bright clouds in the sky at night.  It really is something to see.  The launch will take place tomorrow night at  7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT).

Fish On!!

Rich King

Where to look to observe this launch from Space.com (click link for more info) …. 

For New Jersey, eastern New York and New England, face south or south-southwest.

For central New York, central Pennsylvania, Delaware and much of Maryland, face southeast.

For the eastern third of Virginia, face east. For the eastern third of North Carolina, face northeast.

For places farther to the west and south, the twilight sky will probably be too bright to see the clouds, as it will be too close to sunset.

As to where in the sky to look, the closer you are to Wallops Island, the higher the clouds will appear. Keep in mind that your clenched fist held at arm’s length is roughly equal to 10 degrees.