Taurus XL rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB, CA.

February 24, 2009 | Goleta, California | Vetting explained

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A Taurus XL rocket carrying the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) is the latest Earth orbiting mission launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Tuesday morning at 01:52am, PST.

These missions share a common goal of improving the capability of Earth

scientists to predict changes in weather, climate and natural hazards.

After launch, the OCO mission will collect precise global measurements of

carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the Earth's atmosphere.

In this image the second stage separation can be seen in the rocket trail.

The two bright stars in the upper right are Pollux and Castro in the constellation Gemini.

80 second exposure taken from Goleta, California.

Posted in Assignment:
Stargazers: Leonid meteor shower

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