The second stage can be seen igniting. The bright star under the trail is Venus with Saturn at the top. The faint star just above the contrail is Mercury. Unfortunately, the NASA payload, the Wide-Field Infrared Explorer or WIRE telescope and camera payload began spinning out of control after its second pass over a ground station. The payload is designed to study star formations.
Second stage continues to burn as the exhaust plume begins to grow in the upper atmosphere.
The exhaust plume continues to expand in a shape much different from plumes generated by Delta rocket launches. Rocket engine shuts down, the plume continues to expand and dimish. The center ball and line indicate the path and shutdown of the second stage. Observers as far east as Arizona were able to view this spectacular launch. Any use without written permission is strictly prohibited.