Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

FYI....For those who live in Florida or those who may be visiting in December, who've never seen or photographed a rocket launch, there are 5 rocket launches from the Cape CURRENTLY scheduled in the first three weeks of December.

December 1st, SpaceX Falcon 9, window opens at 1820 hrs (6:20 pm)
December 5th, ULA Atlas V, window opens at 0404 hrs (4:00 am)
December 9th, SpaceX Falcon 9, window opens at 0100 hrs (1:00 am)
December 18th, SpaceX Falcon 9, window opens at 2258 hrs (10:58 pm)
December 21st, SpaceX Falcon 9, window opens at 0506 hrs (5:06 am)

All dates and times are subect to change even as I post this or up until they actually push the button due to scheduling, weather or mechanical issues. Please check or google any of the Cape Canaveral or NASA launch schedules on line if you're interested....

I use www.spaceline.org or www.spacelaunchschedule.com

Cheers

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thanks! I have never attended a launch and would certainly like to. Are the viewing/photographing locations crowded? How far away are they?

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

All depends; about as close as you can get, by actually being inside the Cape for a launch is about ~ 6-7 miles in stadium seating. Other spots along the causeways can get you as near as 7-8 miles. But its not actually as far as it sounds. The 528/A1A causeway (heading to the cruise ship terminals) can be an excellent spot but have to get there early, 1 hour+ and you can actually see the rocket, its payload and a fairly good clear view of the engine start. I like the Wabasso causeway, 42 miles away for night shots, my preference because I can get a 50-60 second shot, but might try the Melbourne causeway (25 miles away) this month. Get a spot early, set everything up, take a few practice shots and then wait.

The causeway out of Titusville is another good location, again get there early and bring your fishing rod Night shots are spectacular but if you want rocket trails don't get too close, you'll need all the wide angle you can get. Google Earth will give you distances and azimuths from your current location to the actual launch pads, I use it to get set up

Hint, you can follow the launch live on your phone by googling live Canaveral rocket launch and listen to the countdown...but beware, they are always about 30-50 seconds behind the actual launch so if at night, watch for the bright engine start blast and if photographing be ready...Cheers