Shuttle Plume Points to Moon - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Supple Cow · 06-02-2007, 08:23 PM

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070603.html

Quote:

Shuttle Plume Shadow Points to Moon
Credit: Pat McCracken, NASA

Explanation: Why would the shadow of a space shuttle launch plume point toward the Moon? In early 2001 during a launch of Atlantis, the Sun, Earth, Moon, and rocket were all properly aligned for this photogenic coincidence. First, for the space shuttle's plume to cast a long shadow, the time of day must be either near sunrise or sunset. Next, just at sunset, the shadow is the longest and extends all the way to the horizon. Finally, during a Full Moon, the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the sky. Just after sunset, for example, the Sun is slightly below the horizon, and, in the other direction, the Moon is slightly above the horizon. Therefore, as Atlantis blasted off, just after sunset, its shadow projected away from the Sun toward the opposite horizon, where the Full Moon just happened to be.

I know this is kind of old, but it's the Astronomy Picture of the Day. I always wondered why the plume didn't leave big obvious shadows, but I guess it's not always so obvious unless it blocks something dramatic, like the MOON. Just thought I'd share my "wow" of the day.

bobby · 06-03-2007, 06:59 AM

once in a blue moon............xoxoxoo

troit · 06-03-2007, 12:30 PM

Very cool indeed - I also am a fan of yesterday's pic:

bobby · 06-03-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troit

Very cool indeed - I also am a fan of yesterday's pic:

damn ...where are my 3-D glasses???........xoxoxoo

06-03-2007, 06:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
bobby Super Moderator Location: 18,000+ posts on TFP #1,2,3,4 and 5,but I'm not counting!	once in a blue moon............xoxoxoo __________________ "Life goes on,within you,and...with out you !" xoxoxoo

06-03-2007, 12:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
troit Transfer Agent Location: NYC	Very cool indeed - I also am a fan of yesterday's pic: __________________ I've yet to dephile myself...