I live in Iowa, and even though the space shuttle is launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, which is 1500 miles away, will I be able to see it once it gets high enough in the atmosphere? Does the distance matter once it gets high enough in the sky? Or will I not be able to see it at all? I'd like an answer from someone who actually knows please.
2006-07-04 06:05:28 · 11 answers · asked by Yuna 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If you're going to say no, at least give me a valid reason why, details would be nice.
2006-07-04 06:07:52 · update #1
Yes, the shuttle is launching today at 2:38 p.m. Eastern Time.
2006-07-04 06:12:40 · update #2
No. The limits for visual acquisition are about 100 miles. You are way outside that envelope. Its is limited as such because of the optical properties of the atmosphere.
2006-07-04 06:15:21 · answer #1 · answered by none2perdy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even if you will have a straight line of sight after the shuttle reaches a particular height (and I'm not even sure of that), the shuttle is too small to be seen from 1500 miles away. Even if you you wanted to try and use a telescope to see it, you would still need line-of-sight. I haven't done the math recently, but I seem to remember that a 6' tall person can see about 40 miles to the curvature of the Earth - and that's assuming there are no obstructions (like houses, buildings, and trees). I doubt you would be able to see the shuttle achieving orbit - given that it takes off to the east.
2006-07-04 13:14:06 · answer #2 · answered by Will 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you would be able to see it launching, or atlease the smoke for the engines, only if your less and 100 miles away. Other wise no. The shuttle is nothing but a spek in a giant sky
2006-07-04 13:12:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's so small and the atmosphere is so distorting (not to mention clouds) so no you can't see it...
but I know that if you have Dish Network there is a NASA channel that broadcasts pretty cool space footage day and night from the satellites and cameras and such... other than that, you can probably get some movies off the internet but you are out of luck on seeing it from your backyard...
2006-07-06 14:59:41 · answer #4 · answered by Ether 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you won't be able to see it from that distance . Remember the earth is round and in order to see it from where you are at , it would have to be at a great distance up above the earth for you to actually see it . It has to do with line-of-sight .
2006-07-04 13:12:52 · answer #5 · answered by robinhoodcb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
distance does matter but you can always watch it on tv if it gets to launch today
2006-07-04 13:15:11 · answer #6 · answered by RITA H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THEY ARE NOT LAUNCHING THE SHUTTLE TODAY
2006-07-04 13:11:22 · answer #7 · answered by greenfield2005@rogers.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no because knowing fisiks. you will not even see it even if you are in georgia you can't C it. you can watch it on t.v.
2006-07-04 13:12:18 · answer #8 · answered by jessi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes.
2006-07-04 13:11:21 · answer #9 · answered by Axel ∇ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-07-04 13:06:44 · answer #10 · answered by Jay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋