11
$\begingroup$

I'll be in Miami this Thursday 30th of March and there is a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida (if it's not delayed).

I won't be able to drive north to be on time at Cape Canaveral to see it. Is it still possible to watch the launch from anywhere along the east coast of Florida, between Miami and the launch site ? And how far north of Miami should I have to go to see something ?

I know that the best I can hope for is to see a distant light and not the actual rocket. But it's better than nothing :)

Thank you !

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ space.stackexchange.com/questions/6555/… very close to being a duplicate. $\endgroup$
    – Antzi
    Mar 28, 2017 at 6:38
  • $\begingroup$ I found this question, but it's for a different launch location. $\endgroup$
    – Christophe Broeckx
    Mar 28, 2017 at 7:07
  • $\begingroup$ The range should be similar $\endgroup$
    – Antzi
    Mar 28, 2017 at 7:10
  • $\begingroup$ I don't know, it's not the same rocket, neither the same launch direction... I believe it goes more north-east than south-east from launch site $\endgroup$
    – Christophe Broeckx
    Mar 28, 2017 at 7:11

7 Answers 7

Reset to default
7
$\begingroup$

Yes you can.

I don't want to link the picture here directly because of license you can see what a STS (Space Shuttle) launch looks like from Miami:

http://chicagoboyz.net/archives/6433.html

Yes, the rockets are different, yes the trajectory is different (No it does not go north east as you said, but south east towards the equator), but this is not enough to make a difference for you.

The previous question linked shows that antares launches can be seen as far as 700km away. You will be 350 km away.

The only reason why you would not be able to see it is if the weather is cloudy.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
6
$\begingroup$

I can see them from the opposite side of Florida with the naked eye given correct atmospheric conditions. So it is possible to have a LoS of about the entire state of Florida, probably further if you are in an open area.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ This is potentially an answer, but currently it is not complete. Can you please expand it? $\endgroup$
    – SE - stop firing the good guys
    Mar 30, 2017 at 6:59
  • $\begingroup$ @Hohmannfan sounds complete to me $\endgroup$
    – Jake Blocker
    Apr 7, 2017 at 0:26
4
$\begingroup$

You should be able to. Considering that I can see every launch from Palm Beach Cty. clearly, you slould be able to. You said you will be Miami so I reccomend viewing from a beach or where you have an unobstructed view north. I also reccomend a good pair of binoculars.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ That's 244km by road from Canaveral. $\endgroup$
    – Russell Borogove
    Oct 30, 2017 at 23:05
4
$\begingroup$

I just watched a SpaceX launch from Tampa Florida. Used Google Earth to determine the heading to look. Cool clear day and was able to see it just fine. Binoculars helped, but could see it without.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ how far away is that? $\endgroup$
    – user20636
    Oct 30, 2017 at 20:16
  • $\begingroup$ Tampa is almost 200km from Canaveral. $\endgroup$
    – Russell Borogove
    Oct 30, 2017 at 23:03
3
$\begingroup$

I saw the initial Falcon Heavy launch from Juno Beach, Florida and have seen other launches including the Space Shuttle from various locations in Palm Beach County

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
$\begingroup$

I saw a rocket launch from mississippi once. It just looked like a really bright light in the sky that started to arc over and then shot off, well like a rocket. Lol

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
$\begingroup$

enter image description here

View from the 8th Floor of the Mayo Building in Jacksonville FL

Good viewing spot for the up coming Falcon Heavy Launch tomorrow or Wednesday !!

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.