[Launch Alert] Friday Launch Status

[Launch Alert]

                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
	                
		       
                             2011 October 26 (Wednesday) 19:33 PDT
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                         FRIDAY LAUNCH STATUS

The United Launch Alliance (the launch services provider) released the
following Delta II/NPP launch status a few hours ago:

"Today, the management team completed the vehicle Launch Readiness
Review in support of the Delta II NPP launch for NASA. The L-2
forecast continues to show a 100 percent chance of favorable weather
for launch."

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                             PHOTO TIPS

A few of you will attempt to photograph Friday's Delta II/NPP launch
from on-base. One of the easiest types of launch photos you can take
is a time exposure of the first several seconds to the rocket's
flight.

To take such a photo, do the following:

1. Set up and level your tripod.

2. Mount your camera to the tripod. If you are using a very wide angle
   lens, use landscape orientation. If you are using a wide or medium
   angle lens, use portrait orientation.

3. Aim the camera at the launch pad.

4. Make sure the bottom edge of the camera field of view is parallel
   with the horizon.

5. Tilt the camera upward so the launch pad is above the bottom edge
   of the field of view.

6. Set up the camera as follows:

     - Mode: Manual

     - Focus: Infinity

     - Noise Reduction: On

     - ISO (speed): 100 or 200

     - Exposure: Bulb (time exposure)

     - f/ Stop: If you will be at the base golf course or the press
                site, you will be about 4.5 miles from the pad and
                should use f/16 for ISO 100 or f/22 for ISO 200.

                See http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbphoto.htm for
                exposure data for other distances.

7. Turn the camera off and put on the lens cap.

8. A couple of minutes before launch, remove the lens cap and turn on
   the camera.

9. Verify the launch pad is visible through the viewfinder.

10. Take a test time exposure.

11. Begin you exposure at T-60 seconds.

12. Do not end the exposure until you are sure the rocket has exited
    the camera's field of view.

13. Once you end the exposure, wait for the image processing to finish
    and the time exposure to appear.

14. Turn off the camera.

The weather at Vandenberg AFB may be cold and damp, resulting in the
formation of dew and camera fogging. Try not to put your photo gear on
the ground and keep your camera lens covered as much as possible.

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