[ASTRONOMIA] Launch and Landing

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1801/DSC_0022-Edit.jpg

image credit & copyright: John Kraus



a composite of three consecutive exposures, this night skyscape follows the january 7 launch and first stage landing of a Falcon 9 rocket from a beach on planet Earth's space coast

with the launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the bright streak beginning farthest left traces the initial phase of the rocket's flight

a visible upward hook marks the first stage beginning its return trajectory with a "boostback burn" near the top of the arc, while the second stage separates and continues toward orbit

above the top of the launch arc due to perspective, a bright streak shows the returning first stage slowing and descending toward the Cape

centered below, the streak at the horizon is a 17 second burn finally slowing the first stage to a successful vertical landing about 8 minutes after launch at Landing Zone 1

during the scene's effective long exposure time, the background stars leave short trails in the night sky of the rotating planet































in apod.nasa.gov/apod