My backyard view of a Falcon 9 rocket launching into orbit (120 miles away)

[Strat]

So I'm located in Jacksonville which is about a 2 hour drive from Cape Canaveral. Every time there is a launch I have the same ritual of turning on the TV to see it live, then run outside to see the rocket with my own eyes. It's just too cool.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/11196696536_341ae51fbd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78265658@N03/11196696536/)
IMAG0477 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78265658@N03/11196696536/) by JDShimp (http://www.flickr.com/people/78265658@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/11196850753_748fd995ec.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78265658@N03/11196850753/)
IMAG0478 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78265658@N03/11196850753/) by JDShimp (http://www.flickr.com/people/78265658@N03/), on Flickr

Initially it looks like a fiery comet. If you look at the second pic and see where the street lights (actually it's a church parking lot light) are, that's when it looks like a fireball. Once the launch is underway it takes about 1-2 minutes till you can see anything. Then you notice the fireball streaking through the sky. Eventually it separates and it's really cool watching it leave the atmosphere, kinda hard to describe. Always fun and only seen rarely.

[Sunny-side-up]

Hi Strat hope your feeling good.

Interesting view you have there!
BTW isn't the way to orbit straight up?
No wonder they use up so much fuel Doh!

Something to do with lack of rocket boost stages?

BTW I know nothing of such things :)

[Strat]

Yeah I've been headache free thank god *knock on wood*

Rocket launches always look this way because of the rotation of the earth.

[genevieve]

Strat--

That's good news (re headaches)!

:cheer2::target::cheer2:


Peace Love Joy & Harmony,
Genevieve

[araucaria]

BTW isn't the way to orbit straight up?

The way upstairs is straight up: but only if you have an elevator :)