Firefly Alpha Twilight Launch
Taken by Jeremy Perez on July 3, 2024 @
North of Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
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Camera Used: Unavailable Unavailable
Exposure Time: Unavailable
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Date Taken: 2024:07:04 02:15:51
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Details:
I drove north of Flagstaff, Arizona, to the San Francisco Volcanic Field to observe the launch this evening. Since the trajectory was directed further away from my location than previous SpaceX launches, I was expecting less lateral presentation and wound up selecting focal lengths that were too tight and had to do a mid launch lens swap on one of the cameras. || Despite the fluster, the launch was spectacular, with an exhaust plume much more expansive than I expected. The vehicle was visible for a long time as it transitioned southward, gradually arcing toward the horizon. The 1st stage was very prominent as it was left behind, while a pair of, what I think were ejected fairings, slowly blinked between the first and second stages — I'm guessing they were flaring with reflected sunlight as they rotated. Exhaust from the first stage also took on a spiral form with a warmer color than the second stage. The camera picked up a red ionosphere impact that lasted well after the reflective exhaust plume had disappeared. Just a really interesting launch to observe with perfect twilight timing. || Zoomed image: Canon R5 4K Video, Sigma 150-600 F5-6.3 DG OS HSM @ 400mm, ISO 6400, f5.6, 1/30 sec., 19 frames stacked and aligned on first and second stages. || Wide images: Canon EOS 6D Mark II, EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS USM, ISO 3200, 1 sec & 4 sec, f/4
Photographer's website:
https://www.perezmedia.net
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