An unforgettable evening in the Eastern Sierra Mountains observing an amazing SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Nebula captures a multitude of colors as the exhaust particles of the rocket are illuminated by reflective high-altitude sunlight. During a twilight launch, the low setting sun illuminates the rocket’s plume and can be seen for hundreds of miles as long as conditions are favorable. As the plume expanded during this launch, it took on the form of a deep-sky object mimicking a Nebula showing off its insane colors and textures. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness such a spectacular event in such a beautiful surrounding.
This piece evokes that perfect moment and solidifies my experience from this night into a photographic memory.
