Stunning Photos of NASA's Nighttime Moon Launch

Crowd Pleaser

Photograph by Garry Qualls

This photograph captures an excited crowd of space buffs with cameras at hand enjoying the Minotaur V launch from the Grundland Astronomy Park in Hampton, Virginia.

Published September 9, 2013

Stage Ignition

Composite photograph by Jack Fusco

With stars in the background, NASA's rocket appears to cut through the sky above a World War II-era bunker in Cape May, New Jersey.

A blue-gray cloud visible on the lefthand side of this image signifies the second stage cutoff and third stage ignition of the first lunar mission launched from the northeast coast of North America.

Published September 9, 2013

Fenwick Fireworks

Photograph by Marion J. Haligowski

This photo shows the dramatic view as NASA's LADEE moon probe launch lit up the waters off of Delaware's Fenwick Island.

"I expected the rocket to appear like a satellite—I was completely floored to see how bright and dramatic the launch was from 50 miles [80 kilometers] away," explained photographer Marion J. Haligowski.

Published September 9, 2013

Suburban Skyline

Photograph by Paulo Ordoveza  

The suburban skyline above Fairfax, Virginia, is pierced by the Minotaur V rocket launch on September 6.

"It was a remarkably clear night, and the solid booster's plume was unmistakably bright," said photographer Paulo Ordoveza.

Published September 9, 2013

Rocket Reflection

Photograph by Jason Houck

NASA's LADEE moon probe launch lights up the sky and water, as seen here from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

The September 6 launch was the first for the Minotaur V rocket, which is based on the design of intercontinental ballistic missiles from the Cold War days.

Published September 9, 2013

Rocket Plume

Photograph by James Allen

This spectacular photo taken from Ocean City, Maryland, captures the third stage cutoff and fourth stage ignition of NASA's Minotaur V rocket as it heads toward Earth orbit.

Published September 9, 2013

Brooklyn Blastoff

Photograph by  Daniel J. Grinkevich

NASA's September 6 moon launch was so bright that it was visible to urban sky-watchers under severe light pollution, as seen in this image captured from a rooftop in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Published September 9, 2013

Farm Spectacle

Photograph by Jeff Moreau

NASA's moon rocket streaks through the skies above a cornfield in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, in this beautiful photograph taken with a three-minute exposure.

Published September 9, 2013

Fiery Ignition

Photograph by Victor Wolansky

Minutes after liftoff, one of NASA's LADEE moon mission late stages and lingering smoke plumes is captured in this stunning image taken from the Potomac River in Virginia.

LADEE launched at 11:27 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 6, from Pad 0B at the space agency's mid-Atlantic Wallops Flight Facility, located on Wallops Island off the coast of Virginia.

The spacecraft will enter orbit around the moon in 30 days and will begin studying the thin lunar atmosphere in unprecedented detail.

Published September 9, 2013