STS sonic boom
Robert Reeves (rreeves@connecti.com)
Fri, 21 Feb 1997 07:07:09 -0600
Due to other commitments, I was unable to get revision B of the Shuttle
entry visibility list so I observed this morning's STS reentry with times
given from the revision A list. Of course, STS came later than shown on
revision A so I missed it. Damn! Clear as crystal here right under the
path. I gave up 5 minutes after the pass predicted on revision A, figuring
they waved off for 24 hours. I calculate it actually appeared about 30
seconds after I went back inside.
But all was not lost. Just as I laid back down to go to sleep, I head the
sonic boom, even from inside my bedroom. Just hearing that sucker was, in a
small way, worth getting up for. It was LOUD. STS passed about 70 degrees
above the south at my location, and my bedroom window faces south. There is
a huge wooden deck outside my bedroom window a considerable overhang on the
roof. I think these created a trap to kind of magnify the sound in my
bedroom because the I heard both the boom and my window pane go "snap" as it
reverberated.
I can't emphasize how loud the boom was compared to what I expected. To the
south of my home is Ft. Sam Houston, an Army post which fires a ceremonial
8-inch Howitzer every morning at 6 AM. The STS boom was louder. To the
north, there used to be a rock quarry which routinely blasted with dynamite
(before the land was commecialized and turned into a golf course two years
ago) and the STS boom was louder than the blasting, as heard from my home.
So I missed the fireworks, but cought the bang anyway. Maybe next time...
Robert Reeves Home page http://www.connecti.com/~rreeves
520 Rittiman Rd. Email rreeves@connecti.com
San Antonio, Texas 78209 Phone 210-828-9036
Location 29.4N 98.5W 200 meters