January 13, 2018
The universe is under no obligation to make sense to us, and yet here you are — a collection of atoms that somehow learned to think, to...
Launch and Landing
Birthday · January 13, 2018
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APOD published January 13, 2018. Credit: John Kraus. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
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.
Image credit: John Kraus