Posted on 05/21/2011 5:18:48 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
[Credit & Copyright: Daniel Herron (Atlanta Astronomy Club)] Explanation: When dawn broke over Kennedy Space Center on Monday, May 16, the space shuttle orbiter Endeavour still stood on pad 39A. Its final launch, on mission STS-134 to the International Space Station, was only hours away. Shining through the early morning twilight four planets were also poised above the eastern horizon, a moving scene captured here from across the Banana River at the center's Saturn V VIP viewing site. Scattered by planet Earth's dense atmosphere, floodlight beams play over the launch pad, glancing skyward toward the celestial beacons. Jupiter is highest, near the top of the frame, but even the solar sytem's ruling gas giant is outshone by brilliant Venus near picture center. Innermost planet Mercury is below Venus, to the right. Below and left, Mars almost fades into the twilight glow. The four planets continue to hug the eastern horizon at dawn throughout the month, while Endeavour is now scheduled to make its final approach to planet Earth on June 1.
(Excerpt) Read more at apod.nasa.gov ...
That's a big bird.
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Thanks, Sunken Civ!
While enjoying the cool four-planet display, I can’t help being sad about zer0’s canceling shuttle program.
After we boot him out, restore America first.
I remember back in college the space shuttle flew over one night. They had announced it on the radio and there was a large crowd gathered outside the dorm to see it. It was a big deal to us. And conditions were right so it was neat-o deluxe.
I think a large segment of our population have lost (if they ever had it) the ability to dream.
When we lived in southern California, we used to hear the sonic boom from the shuttle as it headed for its landing at Edwards Air Force Base.
We were so proud of our astronauts and of the innovations developed during the space program!
This 0b0z0 is breaking my heart here.
Is that a painting, Fred?
It’s really gorgeous.
I dunno. Just a google image search result. It didn’t say anything about being a painting. I just like the perspective.
I do too.
Sitting in the seats with Odumbo, staring at the back of his head, while THE PRESIDENT gives a speech...
LOL! Agreed.
Skylab too, huge thing, when I was in, well, I was much younger, and we went outside one night to watch it pass over.
and we went outside one night to watch it pass over.
Weird.
Mrs. O Grady's K-class was there, too...
Beautiful!
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