NASA is launching a rocket tonight that will turn the East Coast sky into a prism.
Tonight, between 7 and 9 p.m. ET (that's between 4 and 6 p.m. PT, if you want to stream along), NASA is launching an experimental rocket from one of its labs in Virginia. Alongside it, you will likely be able to see streams of colors, especially turquoise and red, in the sky.
The rocket, named Black Brant IX, was made to study how certain particles react in the upper atmosphere. So, the rocket scientists add barium, strontium and similar chemicals to color those particles so they can be seen dashing through the sky.
The chemicals react with the sun's rays, but in order for you (and the scientists) to see them, the sky must be dark, which is why sunset is the perfect time for this kind of launch (incidentally, the way the barium and strontium work to reflect the sun into different colors is a lot like these turtles we reported on last week).
Black Brant was created in part by 3D printing, and engineers used a special process to ensure that the cylinder has no welds. NASA hopes to eventually use the rocket to send off experiments and microsatellites into space.
The launch, which was originally scheduled for yesterday, was delayed because of weather, but unless unexpected changes occur, tonight should be the big night. NASA says the clouds of chemicals may resemble "fuzzy fireworks" and could appear to be several times as big as the moon, from our vantage point on Earth. Sometimes, the clouds last 2 minutes, sometimes 20. NASA told The Verge that the amounts of chemicals used are much smaller than what you're used to on the 4th of July and are completely safe.
NASA winkingly admits that, whenever it launches a rocket of this kind, it receives a rash of UFO reports. In 1967, it says, rockets were released from the same facility, prompting at least 500 unsuspecting residents to call one newspaper to report the UFO, helpfully noting that it was probably a flying saucer or a Russian missile attack.
In other words, what we're saying is this is probably a UFO and everyone should be scared. Just kidding. Please don't cite us, Mufon.
Photo: Christopher Perry | Flickr
