Smartphone still photos of the #SpaceX #Starlink launch this evening as seen from north Merritt Island.
In the last two photos, you see the first stage separate and then the two additional dots are the fairing halves falling back to the Atlantic.
We call that sperm-like vapor trail "the jellyfish." Because "the sperm" is not suitable for a general audience. 😉
Here's my smartphone amateur video of tonight's #SpaceX #Starlink launch as seen from north Merritt Island.
Both this morning and this evening, people were out for walks and didn't even bother to look up. That's a shame. I often point it out to them, but generally just get a meh.
https://www.facebook.com/wordsmithfl/videos/211244911853009/
@WordsmithFL I grew up in Brevard County, and in elementary school they took us outside to watch every launch, no matter what it was for. I’m guessing they don’t still do that.
@softwaremerc I can't speak to the schools, but in my neighborhood people rarely come out to watch. I see people out for a walk, walking the dog, cycling, jogging, etc. I'll tell them a launch is about to begin. Most don't care.
This documentary might interest you. It's called "Growing Up with Rockets." It's about a family that ran the Spacarium in Titusville during the Space Age.
@WordsmithFL Oh my gosh this is awesome! I watched a few minutes but I want to watch the whole thing later on a bigger screen. Also I don’t remember ever hearing of that place, but I wish I had! I looked it up and found an article in the Florida Historical Quarterly at UCF so now I have some reading to do as well. Thank you!
@softwaremerc She gave a presentation to the Air Force Space and Missile Museum back around 2010 or so. They still carry the DVD in the gift shop. It's on my shelf.
But it's free on YouTube. 😊
@WordsmithFL Oh, nice!
@WordsmithFL Oh, yeah, nice photos and video!
@softwaremerc Thank you. Some are better than others. Somewhere on my YouTube channel is a complete Falcon Heavy launch and landing. Because it was just after dark, you could see both boosters almost all the way back to the Cape landing site.
@WordsmithFL that’s sad….indifference 😔 🚀