Photo taken Monday, May 21 – 5:20 a.m. – by Michael Scully in North Carolina. Thanks, Michael!
Michael Scully in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, wasn’t sure what he was seeing in the early morning twilight on May 21, 2018. He wrote:
This was eerie. The “cloud” pattern was the only thing lit up in that part of the sky. If you get a chance and could tell me what this is, I’d be thrilled.
Cool photo, Michael, especially to catch by chance!
It was exhaust from Monday morning’s launch of an Antares rocket, which was boosting an uncrewed Cygnus cargo ship to space. The cargo ship did reach orbit nine minutes after launch at 4:44 a.m. EDT (08:44 UTC) from Pad-0A of NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The Cygnus is carrying supplies to the International Space Station. It’s due to arrive at the space station today (Thursday, May 24, 2018).
Michael’s photo was not the only one we received of Monday’s launch from Wallops:
View larger. | Robert Williams on Wallops Island, Virginia, was prepared. He caught the rocket launch itself on May 21, 2018, at 4:45 a.m. He wrote: “This is comprised of 3 30-second images stacked together, with a little brightness adjustment in Adobe Lightroom. Each image was taken at f/20, ISO 200. Canon 6D, Rokinon 14mm lens.” Thanks, Robert!Did you see it? Tell us in the comments below. Map of viewing area on the U.S. East Coast for the May 21, 2018, Antares rocket launch. Image via Orbital ATK.
Bottom line: Images of Monday’s launch of an uncrewed Cygnus cargo ship, due to reach the International Space Station on Thursday, May 24.
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.
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