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Astrophotography Photography

Space X Falcon 9 Rocket Launch

It was December of 2017 when I saw my first nighttime rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base. I had no idea what it was and was not prepared for photos. I managed to get a few that were handheld and poorly focused, which can be seen at this LINK. Since then, I’ve been waiting for another opportunity and last night I got it. I have subscribed to Launch Alert and I knew this one was coming. Vandenberg AFB is now Vandenberg Space Force Base, it is about 500 miles west, on the California coast. This rocket is a Space X Falcon 9 that was launching 53 Starlink satellites into orbit. The timing of the launch put the rocket and the exhaust in the light of the setting sun while I was far enough east where it was dark enough to see it. I was set up with the Canon 6D and 35mm Sigma lens on a tripod.

Launch was scheduled for 6:14:10 PM Pacific daylight time. Arizona is not on daylight savings time so there is no time difference. At nearly 6:15, I was beginning to think the launch had been delayed, when there it was!
The rocket rapidly gained altitude, remember this is all about 500 miles away. The first stage booster can be seen falling away. The radar on top of Child’s Mountain is on the lower left. This launch was not as spectacular as the one I witnessed in 2017.
Now passing over the setting Moon. The rocket is probably traveling around 18,000 mph by now or getting to that speed.
Cropped view showing the separated booster.

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