[Launch Alert] Pegasus Launch Visibility

[Launch Alert]

                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
                        www.spacearchive.info
		       
                                   2013 June 23 (Sunday) 16:43 PDT
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                      PEGASUS LAUNCH VISIBILITY
                            by Brian Webb

Given clear skies and bit of luck, observers over a wide area may be
able to see some portion of Wednesday's offshore NASA satellite
launch. Launch is targeted for 7:27:34 p.m. PDT during a launch window
that extends from 7:27 to 7:32 p.m. 

A converted airliner will carry a Pegasus XL rocket containing the
IRIS satellite from the Orbital Sciences Corp. facility at Vandenberg
Air Force Base to the launch point high above the Pacific about 70
miles southwest of Monterey. When the L-1011 reaches a
three-dimensional point in space at 36.000° north, 123.000° west, and
39,000 feet, it will release the rocket. After a five-second fall,
the Pegasus first stage will ignite and IRIS will begin a 13-minute
climb into orbit. 

Observers along the California coast between Vandenberg AFB and
Monterey may be able to see the former Air Canada jumbo jet and
perhaps one or more chase planes as they fly parallel to the coast on
their way to and from the launch point. 

For sky watchers in California and neighboring states, the launch
takes place before sunset. Under very good conditions, the launch may
be visible through binoculars for a distance of up to 150 miles. The
best location to view the launch will probably be near Monterey.
Coastal low clouds and fog are a problem this time of year, so a
viewing site at least 2,000 feet above sea level is preferable.

After sunset, sunlight will illuminate the remnants of the rocket's
exhaust at high altitudes. The resulting display could be visible to
the naked eye in California, Arizona, and parts of Nevada, Utah, and
Mexico. 

If you plan to watch the launch from the mountains, remember that
mountain roads often have steep drop-offs and no guardrails. Not
paying attention to your driving for only a second could kill you.
Also, watch out for loose gravel on the road and be very careful when
you back up your car.

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

Copyright 2013, Brian Webb. All rights reserved. No portion of this
newsletter may be used without identifying Launch Alert as the
source and providing a functioning hyperlink or text that point to
http://www.spacearchive.info/newsletter.htm.