A beautifully clear if cold and windy night to watch the launch of an Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-L) into orbit on 23 January 2014 at 9:33 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. I was happy to be invited to use the third-floor deck of Bob Bruce and Janice Broda’s seaside home to photograph the launch, which proved to be a unique vantage point that included a live computer feed from launch control, delicious pizza, and martinis!

A test time exposure that features not only the star-studded sky but, also, the squiggly orange light from Sam’s collar as he investigated the large deck. Sadly, the pink light on Pepper’s collar stopped working so the dog light show was minus a participant. The short streak of white light at right on the horizon is a giant cruise ship passing by offshore.

A time exposure of the launch using an ultra-wide angle lens captures the familiar streak of the rocket crossing the sky. Note the exposure was long enough for star trails to form. This is a cropped image. See the full image and learn more about TDRS-L at http://www.lunarcabin.com/Rocket_Launches/tdrs_l.html