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Rocket Launch Will Be Visible In Rivertowns, Along East Coast

Space fans and those who just want a look at the beautiful sight of a rocket headed for the heavens won't want to miss the launch of a private rocket from Virginia on Sunday, Oct. 16, as it heads to the International Space Station.

This map shows the regions of visibility for the nighttime launch scheduled for 8:03 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16. The launch may be visible from a wide region of the U.S. East Coast.

This map shows the regions of visibility for the nighttime launch scheduled for 8:03 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16. The launch may be visible from a wide region of the U.S. East Coast.

Photo Credit: Orbital ATK

The two-stage Antares rocket launch from  Wallops Island, Va., scheduled for 8:03 p.m., is expected to be visible to millions along the U.S. East Coast, weather permitting, said Space.com.

The flight, named CRS OA-5, is the seventh planned flight of the unmanned resupply spacecraft to the space station for NASA, added Space.com.

The rocket for this mission is named the SS Alan Poindexter for astronaut Alan G. Poindexter, a space shuttle commander who died in a 2012 water sports accident.

To those watching, the rocket will appear as a bright moving star, as the first stage uses kerosene and liquid oxygen as propellants. Observers who use binoculars might also be able to see a short contrail. Once the rocket jettison's its first stage, about 208 seconds after launch, comes a coasting phase after the first-stage shutdown, said Space.com.

For the best viewing, those in southeast New York should look south-southwest. In New England and Long Island, viewers should look southwest.

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