Another photo -- I'm sorry!

This is a photo of the launch of a space shuttle (not sure which one). This launch will have been watched by hundreds of live witnesses, not to mention residents of Florida (so no cries of "fake! conspiracy!"). It shows the space shuttle launching after sundown, and the column of smoke extends out of the Earth's shadow. The shadow of the smoke can be seen extending off into the distance.

Besides, it's a really cool pic.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Space_Shuttle_launch_plume_shadow_noise_reduction.jpg

FE explanation?

The explanation you will get will be wrong and stupid, if you even get one.   

Aye, t'is damn annoying. I don't know why I bother...

I think it's a really cool picture none the less.

I'll try to fill in for the FEers.

Lemme see....

The spaceship probably lands in a couple of minutes somewhere, and will be retrieved around the time that it is scheduled to "return to earth" so that people think that it was an actual flight.  NASA will probably have their engineers mess with the shuttle so that it shows signs of wear and tear.  Parts that are supposed to be left in space will be kept and reused to minimize cost.

I was really looking for an explanation of why the top part of the column of smoke was lit, and why the bottom part was in shadow. Bishop?

I was really looking for an explanation of why the top part of the column of smoke was lit, and why the bottom part was in shadow. Bishop?

It's because the sun hasn't set for that altitude. The sun is still peaking over the horizon up there.

When you increase your altitude you are changing your perspective lines in relation to the sun and earth - the higher you are the longer it takes the sun's image to intersect with the horizon.

Quote from: ghazwozza on April 01, 2008, 11:34:10 AM

I was really looking for an explanation of why the top part of the column of smoke was lit, and why the bottom part was in shadow. Bishop?

It's because the sun hasn't set for that altitude. The sun is still peaking over the horizon up there.

When you increase your altitude you are changing your perspective lines in relation to the sun and earth - the higher you are the longer it takes the sun's image to intersect with the horizon.

Colour (color) key:

• Fact
• Rowbothian magic

i thought the sun was shining a spotlight or some such rubbish. how would that cause the observed effect?

Hello again. Haven't been here for a while. Tom Bishop's explanation serves, however a much more accurate one:
Parts of the atmosphere, due to their relative pressures, temperatures and densities, act as mirrors. These high-pressure atmospheric reflecting pockets usually hang around at low altitude, usually so close to the ground you do not notice them. The reason the top of the smoke column is illuminated is simply because the conspiracy equip the shuttle's solid rocket boosters with slow-burning magnesium as well as other materials to simulate the effect, thus maintaining the illusion of a round Earth.

The main reason for the conspiracy is that there is a centuries-old bet between the nations, basically Europe bet America and Russia they couldn't convince the world was spherical without the truth leaking out. (This bet is between secret governments, obviously) and America and Russia don't want to end it, because they would have to pay Europe so much money they would be bankrupt. Recently, China took up the bet too.

Quote from: ghazwozza on April 01, 2008, 11:34:10 AM

I was really looking for an explanation of why the top part of the column of smoke was lit, and why the bottom part was in shadow. Bishop?

It's because the sun hasn't set for that altitude. The sun is still peaking over the horizon up there.

When you increase your altitude you are changing your perspective lines in relation to the sun and earth - the higher you are the longer it takes the sun's image to intersect with the horizon.

Except the sun shines as a spotlight which would suggest a cone shape.  You can't even say its a cylinder shape.  Your saying its a reverse cone.  Illuminating from the ground up.  Strange. 

Quote from: Tom Bishop on April 01, 2008, 11:46:00 AM

Quote from: ghazwozza on April 01, 2008, 11:34:10 AM

I was really looking for an explanation of why the top part of the column of smoke was lit, and why the bottom part was in shadow. Bishop?

It's because the sun hasn't set for that altitude. The sun is still peaking over the horizon up there.

When you increase your altitude you are changing your perspective lines in relation to the sun and earth - the higher you are the longer it takes the sun's image to intersect with the horizon.

Colour (color) key:

• Fact
• Rowbothian magic

You mean to tell me that you don't believe the Sun setting happens later at a higher altitude?

Quote from: Moon squirter on April 02, 2008, 01:27:32 AM

Quote from: Tom Bishop on April 01, 2008, 11:46:00 AM

Quote from: ghazwozza on April 01, 2008, 11:34:10 AM

I was really looking for an explanation of why the top part of the column of smoke was lit, and why the bottom part was in shadow. Bishop?

It's because the sun hasn't set for that altitude. The sun is still peaking over the horizon up there.

When you increase your altitude you are changing your perspective lines in relation to the sun and earth - the higher you are the longer it takes the sun's image to intersect with the horizon.

Colour (color) key:

• Fact
• Rowbothian magic

You mean to tell me that you don't believe the Sun setting happens later at a higher altitude?

That's exactly what happens. The explanation, however, is complete bull.

The hell is that blue line in the photo?

The hell is that blue line in the photo?

The shadow of the launch plume.  Because it occured just one day before a total lunar eclipse, the moon was opposite the sun, causing the shadow to be cast directly towards the moon on the horizon.

That shadow is cool. Wouldn't expect that but when you think about it, it makes sense.

The shadow of the launch plume.  Because it occured just one day before a total lunar eclipse, the moon was opposite the sun, causing the shadow to be cast directly towards the moon on the horizon.

Ah. It almost appeared suspiciously dominant, but that explanation makes sense. Quite interesting.

Quote from: messierhunter on June 16, 2008, 09:14:14 AM

The shadow of the launch plume.  Because it occured just one day before a total lunar eclipse, the moon was opposite the sun, causing the shadow to be cast directly towards the moon on the horizon.

Ah. It almost appeared suspiciously dominant, but that explanation makes sense. Quite interesting.

Correction, the explanation makes sense in RET.  Because its true.