Space Shuttle Launch [Archive] - Talk of The Villages Florida

villages07

11-13-2008, 11:15 AM

The Space Shuttle is scheduled to launch at 7:55pm this Friday, Nov 14th. Right now, the weather is a little questionable. They have some alternate launch windows for Sat and Sun.

This will be a night launch and is clearly visible in The Villages if the clouds hold off...just look to the eastern sky.

:coolsmiley:

Donna

11-13-2008, 11:43 AM

007..I am so happy I am here to see this launch! Lets keep our fingers crossed for a clear night..

Where is the best place to view this from?:coolsmiley:

villages07

11-13-2008, 12:24 PM

Any high spot with a clear view of the eastern sky.... the corner of Morse Blvd and Bonita Blvd is one spot that comes to mind. Perhaps the "sunset park" on the Morse Bridge near Lake Sumter (with your back to the west) would work.

twynsmom

11-13-2008, 12:24 PM

:2excited:
The last time I saw the launch, we were in Walmart's parking lot (Walmart on 441) There were other cars parked just adjacent to that in an empty field. We were looking East just over the building. It was an awesome sight. :pepper2:

F16 1UB

11-13-2008, 08:19 PM

Donna,

You & Cathy may want to go down my street where it crosses the golf course and look from there. I think the 2 of you MAY be able to figure out what direction is east. If all else fails call nONIE.

F16

nONIE

11-13-2008, 09:07 PM

F16,

Call me??? I dont know what direction is east either!!!:shrug:

Donna

11-13-2008, 09:08 PM

16..You are killin me! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Noni got lost last night for an hour..

Peachie

11-13-2008, 09:10 PM

Nonie, the sun comes up in the east, does that help? ;)

Donna

11-13-2008, 09:59 PM

I just heard the Chatham rec center has a great view...:)

nONIE

11-13-2008, 10:46 PM

[

Peachie,

Not after dark it doesnt! LOL:undecided:

chelsea24

11-13-2008, 11:31 PM

Nonie Macaroni! You crack me up! But you're so right! Maybe you could check it out during the daytime? :1rotfl:

Wow, I want to see the shuttle launch too. I've been trying to see one since I moved here. :shrug:

graciegirl

11-14-2008, 04:41 AM

F16, Dontcha think that the Odell center is a good place to gather? Right behind my house? If Twyla and Jim weren't here I would invite all of you to come and we could have a launch party.

Peachie

11-14-2008, 09:02 AM

Nonie, in spite of our ribbing.... I hope you don't miss the launch. I have always wanted to see that site but I won't be seeing anything but windy clouds filled with rain from my afar location.

Taltarzac

11-14-2008, 09:09 AM

Here's a link to the official NASA web-site for the Space Shuttle. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

graciegirl

11-14-2008, 09:11 AM

Nonie, the sun comes up in the east, does that help? ;)

Not AT NIGHT Peachie. I admit to being lost here quite a bit. Odell Circle should be north and south and then it turns into Bailey Trail, plus all of the houses are remarkably similar, I wish they would add the village onto the street signs and I am usually a good navigator.

DugCave

11-14-2008, 09:18 AM

Wished I were there to witness such an awsome sight.

beady

11-14-2008, 10:31 AM

Any thoughts on watching the launch from the Truman Rec Center? We saw some really nice fire works from up there on July 4th.
Now all we need is for the d... clouds to go away:cus::cus::evil6:

chelsea24

11-14-2008, 11:14 AM

I would think Truman Center would be good. It's south with a clear view to the east. What do others think? :shrug:

uujudy

11-14-2008, 02:38 PM

Not AT NIGHT Peachie. I admit to being lost here quite a bit. Odell Circle should be north and south and then it turns into Bailey Trail, plus all of the houses are remarkably similar, I wish they would add the village onto the street signs and I am usually a good navigator.

I'm sure you all know this, but the moon ALSO rises in the east. :icon_wink:
If it's not cloudy just look toward tonight's full moon and then to the right a little bit.
But when it's cloudy, I'm totally lost here. I agree GG, adding the Village name on the street sign would be a big help -- or maybe I should add a compass to my golf cart :laugh:

Barefoot

11-14-2008, 02:53 PM

I think the 2 of you MAY be able to figure out what direction is east. If all else fails call nONIE. F16

F16, great advice. :1rotfl: Nonie has many, many wonderful qualities! But she can hardly find her way from the living room to the kitchen. Hahaha. :girlneener:

Seven, thanks for the thread. I'm usually out on the golf course around that time howling at the moon. Tonight if I look to the right (per Judy's instructions), I hope I'll see a spectacular sight.

DickY

11-14-2008, 03:56 PM

Chels,

I agree, there should be a good view from around the Truman Rec Center.

uujudy

11-14-2008, 04:35 PM

Tonight if I look to the right (per Judy's instructions), I hope I'll see a spectacular sight.

Omigosh! Bare, do NOT depend on my instructions! :ohdear:
It all depends IF the moon is barely up at that time. It's different each night, and I don't know what TIME the moon rises tonight! Last night it was around 7-ish, and it was magnificent (did anybody else see it?), but who knows WHEN it will rise tonight? Maybe the moon won't rise until midnight?

IF the moon is up at around 7-ish, and it has only been up for a little while, then you're probably looking east-ish. If you turn 90 degrees to the right, you should be looking south. Somewhere in there should be southeast.

Or I shoulda kept my big mouth shut. ;)

Barefoot

11-14-2008, 05:01 PM

Omigosh! Bare, do NOT depend on my instructions! :ohdear:
It all depends IF the moon is barely up at that time. It's different each night, and I don't know what TIME the moon rises tonight! Last night it was around 7-ish, and it was magnificent (did anybody else see it?), but who knows WHEN it will rise tonight? Maybe the moon won't rise until midnight?

IF the moon is up at around 7-ish, and it has only been up for a little while, then you're probably looking east-ish. If you turn 90 degrees to the right, you should be looking south. Somewhere in there should be southeast.

Or I shoulda kept my big mouth shut. ;)

Thanks for the disclaimer Judy. Actually, I was totally depending on your instructions. Sounded so simple like something I could do. Guess I better get my compass out of my golf cart.

DickY

11-14-2008, 05:23 PM

I plan on being at the Truman Rec Center at 7:45 to see the launch at 7:55. Kathie, Donna, TKret, and PGB should also be there. Looks like a clear view to the east from behind the Center.

nONIE

11-14-2008, 06:48 PM

uhummmmmm! What am I swiss cheese?????:(

Barefoot

11-14-2008, 07:08 PM

I plan on being at the Truman Rec Center at 7:45 to see the launch at 7:55. Kathie, Donna, TKret, and PGB should also be there. Looks like a clear view to the east from behind the Center.

Thanks DickY, very nice of you to post this information.

NJblue

11-14-2008, 07:09 PM

Has anyone seen a night time launch from TV before? What kind of a view is there? Since the Truman Rec Center is essentially our backyard, this should be something to look forward to once we get down there.

Barefoot

11-14-2008, 07:16 PM

I'm wondering how long a launch is visible. Seconds, minutes?

villages07

11-14-2008, 07:20 PM

Bare,

Depending on the cloud cover...it can be visible for a couple of minutes.

Barefoot

11-14-2008, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the disclaimer Judy. Actually, I was totally depending on your instructions. Sounded so simple like something I could do. Guess I better get my compass out of my golf cart.

Judy, you were right! I saw it to the right of the moon. I was thrilled. :a040:

graciegirl

11-14-2008, 08:08 PM

It was fascinating. We drove our golf cart and parked on Havana Trail at the Golf Course. Soon there were about 20 carts. We had a great view of the launch and it was fascinating to see it literally go by the huge harvest moon. Everyone clapped and cheered.

Earlier we ran into Kathie, Donna, Pat, Dicky, Tkret and Chachacha eating dinner together when we ate at Cici's pizza at Colony Plaza. They were all heading to Truman. I hope they had as good a view as we did.

Wonderful. So glad the shuttle is safely aloft.

chelsea24

11-14-2008, 08:37 PM

We went to Truman and the view was great! :a040: I think I was yelling more than anyone because I had try to see this at least twice before. I think I got a good picture of the red streak, but new camera so I'll have to see. If it came out good, I'll post it. Great fun with Nonie, Kathie, Donna, PGB, Dicky, Tkret, Cha x3, and Handie and Mrs. H. Oh and Mom2Five and hubby! I love the Villages, something is always happening! :MOJE_whot:

Jerseygirl08

11-14-2008, 08:46 PM

I am so glad all of you got to see it, nice clear night I take it??? I can't wait to get to TV and to experience this with all of you. Ah, life is sweet.:coolsmiley::a040::coolsmiley::a040:

uujudy

11-14-2008, 09:23 PM

Judy, you were right! I saw it to the right of the moon. I was thrilled. :a040:

Yay! I'm glad the moon was up and the shuttle was where it was supposed to be!

Wasn't the launch fantastic? Mr. Judy's career was rockets, but I never saw a real shuttle launch before tonight, can you believe it? I felt the earth shake at our house in Utah (and watched the acorns fall) when they tested the solid propellant boosters for the shuttle, but actually *seeing* the launch was a first for me! :a040: :coolsmiley: :a040:

Rokinronda

11-14-2008, 09:50 PM

POOH! I just saw this thread! Ed and I went to RJ Gators and then watched the shuttle from the boardwalk. Quite an amazing sight!! WE almost WENT TO TRUMAN!! duh!

Cassie325

11-14-2008, 09:53 PM

It was beautiful from the north side of town as well....we were at Lopez with friends....also heard it was a great site (video on cell phone and will try to share) from lady lake area as well.....

What a beautiful site!! We would never have seen this in NY....so glad to be here!!

PGB

11-14-2008, 10:45 PM

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/14/14_1_27v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm429YYUS) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/797.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm429YYUS)
The "Shuttle" was teriffic! GOD BLESS AMERICA! I am soooo happy I got to see it. Called my son on the way home and told him how great it
was!

http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb097&pp=ZRxdm429YYUS (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb097_ZRxdm429YYUS&utm_id=7925)

nONIE

11-15-2008, 09:49 AM

Now just a minute here! In defense of MOI, I have found my way to everywhere I want to be since I have been in The Villages! It may have taken me an hour or 2 longer then most people but eventually I get there!!!! Actually, I am very proud of myself!:loco:

PGB

11-15-2008, 10:15 AM

[/URL] You tell'um girl! This is a confusing place. Took me 40 mins. to get from LSL back to my place in Belle Air!
[URL="http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm429YYUS"]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_72.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm429YYUS)

http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb097&pp=ZRxdm429YYUS (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb097_ZRxdm429YYUS&utm_id=7925)

dfn8tly

11-15-2008, 11:19 AM

You're all right, it was a spectacular sight. I didn't think it would be visible because of the clouds and the distance since we are over 100 miles away from the KSC. I watched liftoff on television then stepped out my front door and after a couple of seconds the cloud cover opened and there it was. It rose majestically and made a left turn around the full moon (?) then back into the clouds. Why was it heading for New York? Maybe they needed to pick up some bagels.

Unfortunately, that may have been the last night launch for a long time.

Barefoot

11-15-2008, 12:31 PM