Southern Cross with Unique Space Object by Ray Palmer

Southern Cross with a Malfunctioning Russian Briz-M Rocket - Explosion.

Taken 20th February 2007 2.a.m.

Don't be tricked by the appearance of the object. It was moving incredibly slowly.
Too slowly to see any naked eye movement. The tip of this object is where the object exploded
and it slowly drifted toward the left as it expanded. This object trailed to the left through
this photo for ten minutes giving the appearance of a comet or fast moving meteor.

This is the first time a man made explosion in space has been caught on camera.

Click images of Briz M Rocket to enlarge

The image below shows my camer'a field of view and the object's path.

Trajectory

Star map

Captured by Ray Palmer

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Image Specifications

Exposure 30 minutes
Nikon FM2
Losmandy G-11 Gemini
Kodak Elite Chrome
Manually Guided

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Comment Script

Comments

D. - 23.02.2007 - 05:20

Great picture; great juxtaposition

Kristan Ellis - 23.02.2007 - 05:24

This spectacular picture contains Eta Carina's beutiful red emission nebula, the famous Southern Cross with the Coal Sack Nebula at it's foot, Alpha Centuri, a gorgeous portion of the Milky Way with many hot, blue stars and it also captured the explosion of a failed Russian rocket stage! Very fine picture! What's not to like? I think that Ellen Bashuka's appreciation for the glories of creation and the rare chance to capture an anomaly in space - from earth - could use some enlightenment.

Kathy Billinge - 23.02.2007 - 10:11

Absolutely fantastic...well done you! full of action, colour and splendour.

Bob Neal - 23.02.2007 - 16:22

Sensational...the Southern Cross and heavens of the Southern Hemisphere are as magnificant today as they were 47 years ago while serving in the Antarctic.

drt - 23.02.2007 - 17:06

I'm glad that it made to the APOD today. Congratulations! I agree with Kathy B that it is absolutely fantastic! I'm writing an entry on this picture in my blog, and will place a small version of the pick to link back to your site. Please let me know if you have any objection and I will remove the picture. Thanks.

Graeme Buckingham - 23.02.2007 - 20:05

Excellent work Ray - a wonderful collection.
Thank You - Graeme

Andy - 23.02.2007 - 20:33

Amazing work Ray. Your photos are beautiful. I notice you still use film, which I think is great.

Ellen Bashuka - 24.02.2007 - 04:37

ewww this picture is the dumbest picture i have seen, sorry but i have self esteem problems because i'm obese.

Peter - 25.02.2007 - 00:14

Great Work ! Best Wishes to you!

Science - 25.02.2007 - 16:45

Excellent collection! Thank You

Crown - 07.03.2007 - 00:22

For me!

White Wolf - 08.04.2007 - 18:53

Very nice!

Amy Speer - 10.05.2007 - 13:36

I'm with the Rocky Mountain News, designing a piece on Web sites that can help readers better view the night sky. We'd like to use a small version of this in our May 14 edition. Please contact me via e-mail if you have any objections. It's really great you caught this event on film.


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