Hello SeeSat friends, Enjoyed a nice view of the Atlantis main engine plumes from southeast Virginia on Sunday morning about 5 minutes after launch. First noticed the plumes in the south (el=10,az=160) as irregular and flashing (est. mag 4 to -1), rising to peak (el=20, az=110) and then the plumes became more steady in the last minute of the engine burn. The plumes were distinctly red and vectored downward about 30 degrees with respect to the direction of ascent. About 15 seconds after main engine cutoff (el=8, az=80), another bright flash occured. I understand from the launch profile that this was the jettisoning of the external tank. Binoculars presented a great view of the plume direction and colors. I took a couple of time exposures and will see how they turn out. Even my wife and seven year old arose to see it in -2C weather. The previous two 51.6 degree night launches were obscured by rainy weather. As a side note, we were involved with students who had an excellent conversation with US Astronaut John Blaha two weeks ago from the Amateur Radio satellite station at the Virginia Air and Space Center. See the ARGVASC URL below for a photo and media story link. Good day, jim byrd -------------------------------------------------------- 01/12/97 05:14:40 EST (-5) 37.17N -76.57W (ASOSV) "http://www.seva.net/reg/satellite" (VASCARG) "http://www.seva.net/vascarg" James, Cynthia, and Thomas Byrd <jbyrd@seva.net> 44 Sandra Drive Newport News, VA 23608 USA 757.874.3104 (h) 757.864.5961 (ofc)