[Launch Alert] Possible Saturday Evening Light Show

[Launch Alert]

A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg SFB, Calif. this evening (April 6). The vehicle is slated to leave south base between 7:25 and 11:17 p.m. PDT and carry 21 Starlink satellites into orbit.

If the vehicle lifts off early in the launch window, a large portion of the southwestern U.S. and northwest Mexico could be treated to an interesting display as the rocket's exhaust is illuminated by the Sun at high altitude while suspended in a dusk or dark sky.

Following stage 1/stage 2 separation, three white, star-like objects may appear to follow the rocket. The two objects closest to the rocket are the jettisoned halves of the protective payload shroud (nose cone). The object farthest behind the Falcon 9 is the first stage.

Observers with an unobstructed horizon may briefly see the bright orange flame from the first stage as it prepares to land on a drone ship downrange.

If the Falcon 9 is launched later, the event could still be visible to the unaided eye for hundreds of miles, but the exhaust plume will be much less pronounced.

Although this event could be visible to the unaided eye over a wide area, tripod mounted binoculars or a telescope may provide a surreal view.

Observers within 25 miles of the coast between Carpinteria and Zuma Beach, Calif. may hear a sonic boom and distant rumble from the launch several minutes after liftoff.

For countdown status and video feeds of the launch, go to:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-8-1

https://spaceflightnow.com

X @SpaceX

This information is subject to change.