Rocket Launch Gives Sky Show
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A rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Saturday left a vividly colored vapor trail across the evening sky that was seen throughout Southern California and as far away as Arizona, authorities said.
Leaving orange and purple streaks in its wake, the Boeing Delta II rocket carrying five Motorola satellites was launched from the Santa Barbara County base about 5:30 p.m.
The swath of color that blazed across the twilight sky, known as the “twilight phenomenon,” was caused by light reflecting from propellant particles as the rocket fired at 5:34 p.m., said Air Force Sgt. Michael Ward.
“Typically we get this effect when we launch at this particular time,” Ward said.
The mixture of water and propellant freezes in the less dense, upper atmosphere, reflecting sunlight and causing a “luminescence” in the sky, which prompts excited calls from the public.
Motorola’s plan is to put 66 satellites in orbit and have the system working by 1998, Kande said. The company has launched 39 satellites so far.
The next launch from Vandenberg is scheduled for Dec. 16.
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