S.F. man's astounding photo Mysterious purple streak is shown hitting Columbia

San Fran Chronicle ^ | February 5, 2003 | Sabin Russell

[KneelBeforeZod]

Top investigators of the Columbia space shuttle disaster are analyzing a startling photograph -- snapped by an amateur astronomer from a San Francisco hillside -- that appears to show a purplish electrical bolt striking the craft as it streaked across the California sky.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Were we not a great trading partner with Japan prior to WWII or with Germany? Sometimes evil takes over in a nation's government. China is already at war with us - just not openly. They are at war with us through their agent nations around the world, through their intelligence and military groups, and through their theft/purchase of military secrets/technology.......so if they could do something more to harm us and escape being charged with the crime....why not do it?

[dalebert]

I don't think it was lightening that hit the shuttel. More likd some manmade ray.

[dalebert]

I don't think it was lightening that hit the shuttel. More like some manmade raym or microwave.

[TomServo]

The first article has been posted previously. Discussion already in progress here.

[TomServo]

Crap - my bad...

[AppyPappy]

Nah, we screwed the Japanese when they invaded China.

[KneelBeforeZod]

someone did a screen cap of George Noory being fooled Coast to coast AM screen

[Dr. Eckleburg]

FYI - Part Deux

[Lion's Cub]

I notice that in both of your posts, the radar is for 1 Feb and the satellite infra is for 1 Jan. I doubt they are misdated because they do not appear to back each other up. Areas of precip look too different to me.

[Lion's Cub]

Thanks for the link.

Please see #109--and note that the 3rd exact same set appears in post #53. Did the website they came from deliberately post similar images from 2 different dates? Is there a reason we don't have the satellite infra from 1 Feb?

[glock rocks]

good catch. my post you refer to was a complete disaster. never, never post before coffee. eastsider was just helping me get the thing to display. here is the pic that should have been posted... and should correspond to 6am pacific time

[Aracelis]

Thank you both for posting this information. Wouldn't it be ironic if Columbia' crew was felled by the very phenomena they were sent to study?

[Sabertooth]

I haven't taken a position as to what caused the Columbia to go down, and a problem with the belly tiles is certainly plausible. However, in light of this photograph with the purple electrical streak, and some questions about how high in the atmosphere lightning can occur, I thought I'd post a little background about this information.

[Brad C.]

Bump for a later read, and because I know Dave Sentman but haven't read anything by him.

[Indie]

"In addition, a photograph described by The San Francisco Chronicle — but not yet published — reportedly shows a purple streak of light apparently shooting through Columbia. Dittemore told reporters he was aware of the photo."
---from msnbc this morning (fri)

[Indie]

It was a digital camera. No processing. It is yet unpublished even though it is in the possession of NASA.

[Indie]

Seems to me, even though china would be attacking their greatest trading partner...that they only need us until they have the capability. They are trading with us to boost their military, not so all of the Chinese children can have American (?) toys (there are none.) Once the job is done...who needs us?

[Lion's Cub]

Thanks, GR.

FWI- see #111

[BJungNan]

China is supposed to have developed a ground-based laser cannon.

Oh pleez, stop with the nonsense already.

[AppyPappy]

I imagine they will always need us. They heavily restrict their own population to the point that they will never be able to care for all of them. A strong military is useless without the naval power to convey it. They are 20-40 years away from that.