(abridged email)

Greetings WIRE Folks and Friends --

It is now quite likely that WIRE will launch Monday evening, 1 March, just
before 7 PM local time.  Barring local low overcast, it should be visible
over a wide area of Southern California, as it will be pretty dark on the
ground and the vehicle should rise above the Earth's shadow into sunlight,
very probably making a striking scene along the western horizon.

The launch will be from a Pegasus XL, dropped by the Orbital Sciences L1011
aircraft flying offshore out of Vandenberg AFB.  At 39000 feet altitude the
aircraft would be visible for roughly 240 miles (farther from an elevated
site), but the actual drop and ignition will probably be difficult to see as
I think it will be in darkness.  After drop, the vehicle will follow a path
nearly due south into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit.

Some people plan to travel closer to VAFB, in order to be closer and to have
less interference from possible local weather and lights.  At the moment I
favor a site Brian Webb has recommended in the mountains about 3000 feet
above Santa Barbara, some 2.5 hours drive from Pasadena.  Santa Ynez peak is
another good possibility, but only about 15 miles closer (note, for
comparison, that the flight path passes roughly 175 miles miles off Pt
Conception) and about a half-hour longer drive each way.

Others may want to observe from a more local site, such as Sunset Ridge, Mt.
Wilson, or some possible sites near Thousand Oaks.  

Recent information on preparations is available at:


http://sunland.gsfc.nasa.gov/smex/wire/mission/updates/latest.html 

Any optical aid -- binoculars, small telescopes, etc, would be quite helpful
in following the event.  (Eg, a 50X scope would put you 4-6 miles away.  But,
especially with higher powers, if you have not used a telescope to locate and
track an airplane recently, I suggest you practice it a bit in advance!  It
is not too hard once you get the hang of it, but can be impossible if you've
never done it before.) Also, if you happen to have an amateur radio
transceiver, that is potentially quite useful.

It is important that everyone be aware that rocket watching is always a
sporty game -- there is a very substantial possibility of a delay beyond 1
March, and a smaller but real chance of going to, eg, Santa Barbara, and then
having the launch scrubbed late in the process, or seeing nothing due to
weather.  Most IPAC folks probably realize this, but it might be a good idea
to remind spouses, kids, and others just in case.  On a more positive note,
there is every likelihood of both a memorable experience, and of witnessing
an historic event.

(abridged from Bill Wheaton email)

..........

More unofficial notes:

Regarding the info on southern California viewing locations from the launch
on your web page, here's some clarifying/additional info:

1. Santa Ynez Peak (SYP)is a longer drive than the Cement Water Cistern, but
SYP is at 4,200 ft above sea level and the Water Cistern is only 3,000 ft.
Elevation is important because of the marine layer, which often is has
clouds or fog. But beware: Santa Ynez Peak is the best site, but the roads
that lead to it are dangerous!

2. Additional viewing sites are:

	- Del Cerro Park, Rancho Palos Verdes: At the very end of Crenshaw
Bl.
	- Fred Hesse Park, Palos Verdes
	- Calleguas Water Company Facility, Thousand Oaks: On Olsen Rd.
about 1/3 mile east of the 	  23 freeway. Enter the driveway of the
facility and make an immediate left turn. Take the 	  road all the way
to the end.
	- Spanish Hills, Camarillo: Exit the 101 at Central. Proceed
northwest for 1/3 mile. Turn 	  right and drive up to the hill.

(abridged from Brian Webb email)