[Launch Alert] Naked Eye Sunspot

[Brian Webb]

                            LAUNCH ALERT

			           Brian Webb
		         Ventura County, California
		        E-mail: kd6nrp at earthlink.net
	         Web Site: http://www.spacearchive.info

				            2005 January 16 (Sunday) 18:22 PDT
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                          NAKED EYE SUNSPOT

Sunspot 10720 began as a speck that was barely visible in a telescope.
The spot has grown so dramatically in the recent days that it's now
visible to the naked eye* (using proper protection).

Although condition were marginal due to the blurring effects of
atmospheric turbulence, the editor took several experimental photos of
the spot today. The best image is posted online at
www.spacearchive.info/temp.htm.

*NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT PROPER PROTECTION. For information on
how to safely observe the sun, visit
www.spaceweather.com/sunspots/doityourself.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

		       VANDENBERG AFB LAUNCH SCHEDULE
			      As of 2005 January 16

			    Launch
			  Time/Window
  Date		   (PST/PDT)	       Vehicle		Pad/Silo
---------		---------------		----------		--------

FEB			To be announced		Minuteman III	---
ICBM test launch (non-orbital). Payload is one or more unarmed
warheads (probably Mk-12). Impact area is in the Reagan Test Site at
Kwajalein in the central Pacific. The Air Force will announce the date
and launch window about 36-hours in advance. Glory Trip 187GM

Late FEB-
Early-MAR		10:00-13:00			Falcon I		SLC-3W
Payload is the Naval Research Laboratory's TacSat-1 satellite. The
launch window is fixed and does not change if the launch date changes.

MAR			Unknown			Minotaur		SLC-8
Payload is XSS-11 satellite

MAR 1?		To be announced		Delta IV		SLC-6
Classified National Reconnaissance Office payload. The DoD will
announce the launch time about 24-hours in advance. NROL-22

NET MAR 2		Mid-morning			Pegasus XL		Offshore
Payload is NASA's DART satellite

MAR 19		02:22				Delta II		SLC-2W
Payload is the NOAA N environmental satellite

APR			To be announced		Minuteman III	---
ICBM test launch (non-orbital). Payload is one or more unarmed
warheads (probably Mk-12). Impact area is in the Reagan Test Site at
Kwajalein in the central Pacific. The Air Force will announce the date
and launch window about 36-hours in advance. Glory Trip 188GB

MAY			To be announced		Peacekeeper		---
ICBM test launch (non-orbital). Payload is one or more unarmed
warheads (probably Mk-12). Impact area is in the Reagan Test Site at
Kwajalein in the central Pacific. The Air Force will announce the date
and launch window about 36-hours in advance. Glory Trip 34-PA

MAY			Unknown			Minotaur		SLC-8
Payload is STP-R1 satellite

MAY 26		03:01				Delta II SLC-2W
Payload is the CloudSat and CALIPSO environmental satellites

JUN			To be announced		Minuteman III	---
ICBM test launch (non-orbital). Payload is one or more unarmed
warheads (probably Mk-12). Impact area is in the Reagan Test Site at
Kwajalein in the central Pacific. The Air Force will announce the date
and launch window about 36-hours in advance. SERV-1

JUN			To be announced		Titan IV		SLC-4E
Classified National Reconnaissance Office payload. The DoD will
announce the launch time about 24-hours in advance. NROL-20

JUN 5			Unknown			Delta IV		SLC-2W
Payload is the DMSP-17 military weather satellite

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2005 Brian Webb. All rights reserved. This newsletter may
be distributed in its entirety without restriction. Excerpts may be
not be reprinted or posted elsewhere without prior permission.