Gregg Iverson wrote:
>
> This one started out looking just like one I saw in Loma Linda in 1964.
> Because that one had also appeared to not follow a straight path, I
> thought it was an aborted flight. Thanks for the correction after all
> these years.
>
> Gregg
>
> Acer Victoria wrote:
> >
> > If any of you saw or remember, there was a dummy ICBM launched from
> > Marshall Islands towards the US to test the defense system. An anti-ICBM
> > took off from Vandenburg air force base off Point Loma (I think?) in
> > California to intercept it. This was a bit before sunset last Sunday
> > evening (Oct. 3). It left a fuel trail of some sort that, once it got
> > caught in the wind, started florescing a bit past susnset, looking like an
> > aurora borealis, but moving much slowing and lasting some 30 minutes.
> > Vibrant pastel colors, etc. Fabulous sight.
>
The rocket's exhaust vapor trail can persist for some time and is often
distorted by winds aloft into bizarre shapes. The Germans at Pennemunde
that developed the V-2 were the first to witness this phenomenon and
called it "Frozen lightning".
Jerry Liles
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|