[ATMoB-discuss] Shuttle launch article in Eagle Trib

[valleli at rcn.com]

Gosh, Peter, neophyte reporters can really mess things up, can't they ?

The newspaper ends up with a bunch of hype that will leave the average reader greatly disappointed. Spaceflight alone, is awesome enough without hyperbole.

Here are the errors I spotted:
1. The shuttle will pass east-southeast of NH
2. It will only be about 7 degrees above the horizon, trees or buildings may easily block it from view.
3. I have never heard reports of a passage brighter than 2nd magnitude,one hundredth or so fainter than a plane's landing lights.
4. There are no flames at T+7:00 only hot blue-white exhaust from the burning of Hydrogen and O2.
5. A night launch is used when NASA doesn't want to delay a month to get a rendezvous opportunity. That has nothing to do with a normal landing, just an emergency one.
6. Viewing time with binoculars will be about three to five minutes with a clear view of an ocean horizon, not 30 mins. Separation of the fuel tank from the orbiter may be seen if there are no intervening clouds. A wide angle telescope may be able to view a "go for orbit".

What other errors did I miss?
Paul