In a message dated 3/28/2026 11:59:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time, seesat-l_at_lists.seesatmail.org writes: A note that the transLunar orbit insertion burn at 3 April ~00:01 UTC (duration 5m 45s) might be visible from Europe. It will generate a sunlit exhaust cloud that could be visible in binoculars, perhaps even naked eye. I have checked for our new TU Delft MISO telescope site and we have it 11 deg above our horizon (the Netherlands, 52N): more south in Europe will have it higher in the sky. ------------------------- Marco and Ted -- Will North Americans have a chance to sight the Translunar orbit insertion burn? Also . . . What about the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage Disposal Burn that is scheduled to take place approximately two hours after the launch? The ICPS prepares for disposal after a high-ellipse orbit that reaches an apogee of 38,000 nautical miles (approx. 43,730 miles). So far as possible naked-eye visibility of such a burn, I recall back in September 1971, a four-stage sounding rocket that was launched from Wallops Island, VA that released a 36-pound payload of barium 20,000 miles (32,200 km) above Central America. The resultant cloud appeared as bright as a first-magnitude star before fading away about 8 minutes later. The cloud was visible througho So perhaps the disposal burn might be similarly conspicuous in spite of its high altitude. Any thoughts? -- joe rao _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list https://lists.seesatmail.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-lReceived on Sat Mar 28 2026 - 09:22:23 UTC
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