[Launch Alert] Delta IV Heavy Observed

[Launch Alert]

I observed the Delta IV Heavy launch from a bluff overlooking highway 101 in the Summerland-Montecito area (about 3 miles east of Santa Barbara).

Here's what it looked like to the naked eye:

The Delta IV produced a thick contrail that was very obvious. The contrail stopped and the rocket resembled a semi-bright orange star. Someone not looking for the launch probably wouldn't have noticed it.

The rocket began to get near the Sun and was visible with difficulty.

The Delta then produced a short, thin, white trail for a few seconds. That may have been the strap-on boosters being jettisoned.

I also viewed the through tripod mounted 10x binoculars. I could see two or three very closely spaced orange points of light. I could also see the body of the rocket, but I don't recall it being very distinct (it was washed out due to the haze and lighting conditions).

I was outside until 1:09\8 p.m. and did not hear any rumble from thre launch.

I noticed that below me, vehicles were pulling off and stopping on the southbound shoulder of highway 101 before the launch. Some of them were outside of their vehicle or vehicles.

Brian Webb