Can you see the Space Shuttle Launch from Fort Myers, Florida. And if so how clearly?

Answer 1

If you have a clear view of the northeast horizon, you should be able to see the contrail (smoke) from the shuttle, but you won't be able to really make out the shuttle itself. Judging by a map of Florida, Ft Meyers is about the same distance (as the crow flies) to Kennedy Space Center as Jacksonville is - I used to live in Jacksonville, and we would go to the roof of our building to see the contrail sometimes. However, the shuttle practically flies right over Jacksonville, so then again maybe not.

You have a planetarium in Ft Meyers - contact them, they would know and would be happy to tell you (I know someone who works there, they're nice folks).

Answer 2

The sources below pinpoint Fort Myers and Cocoa Beach in Florida (just south of Kennedy Space Center). As you can see, there are several hundred miles between them.

It is unlikely that you'd be able to see a shuttle launch from that far away due to three reasons.

1. Kennedy is well over the horizon. The shuttle takes off to the east or northeast, away from Ft. Myers. The earth would be in the way even when the shuttle had gained altitude.

2. The distance would prohibit seeing clearly as there is too much atmosphere between them.

3. At that distance, the shuttle would be too small to pick out. You might not even be able to see the light from the rocket booster flame due to the scattering affect of the atmosphere.

2.

Answer 3

I once saw the shuttle launch at night from Valdosta State Univerisity's astronomical observatory deck. So I'd say yes. If you have a clear sky and the launch is at night, you will probably be able to see the plume for several hundred miles.

Answer 4

You can clearly see the rocket launches from ft myers. I have viewed it with my own eyes. Now you dont get to see it for as long because it takes time for it to rise above the horizon in ft myers.

Answer 5

This question is worth everyone's attention

Answer 6

Don't think so