14th May 2009, 13:12:02 UTPlanck launched (along with Herschel) on an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou in French Guiana on 14th May 2009. The launch was a spectacular success, and Planck separated after about 30 minutes, being sent on its way to the L2 point of the Earth-Sun system, where it will carry out its scientific mission. Movies of the launch (mpg4 format, works best with Quicktime):
Images(Note: Thumbnail sizes reduced dramatically and images saved at modest jpeg quality)
Arrival in French Guiana![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() DS, David Naylor, Guadeloupe and Martinique
Pre-launch tour and Roll-out![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jupiter Centre (Kourou), Ariane 5 mock-up George Smoot, Kris Gorski, Charles Lawrence David Naylor, DS, Peter Ade, people Jean-Michel Lamarre, Francois Bouchet, Marco Bersanelli, Gary Prezeau, Brendan Crill, Ben Rusholme, Bruce Partridge, Marco Bersanelli, people Herschel and Planck Security! Soyuz launch-pad construction Thijs de Graauw, Jean-Loup Puget, David Naylor, Peter Ade, Matt Griffin, DS Next Ariane 5 being prepared for launch (note burn marks!) Mission Control, George Smoot Last close view of the Ariane 5 Francois Bouchet, Marco Bersanelli, George Smoot, DS, Charles Lawrence, Hien Nguyen
Launch Day!![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Rain, Ariane in distance, and through Larry's telescope Tarantula, Jussi Tuovinen, Graca Rocha Watchers, Ulf Israelson, man with very large lens
Post-launch celebration![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Kris Gorski, Charles Lawrence, Jean-Loup Puget, DS; Reno Mandolesi, Larry Wade; Reno, Larry, Jean-Loup; Jean-Michel Lamarre, Matt Griffin; Matt, David Naylor Frank Helmich; Frank Helmich; George Smoot, Peggy, Reno Mandolesi; George, Peggy, Kris, Reno Jean-Loup Puget, Dick Bond; Jean-Loup, Dick, Graca Rocha; Jean-Loup, Francois Bouchet; DS, Kris Gorski, George Efstathiou; DS, Kris, George, Larry Wade Hotel des Roches, Kourou; Reno Mandolesi; Hotel from the sea
Boat trip to Iles du Salut![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() HFI catamaran, Ile Royale Governor's house, view from restaurant, Ile du Diablo, ex-prison buildings Kris Gorski, Charles Lawrence, DS, Thijs de Graauw, Frank Helmich
Walk up Mont Bourda![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Trip towards Kaw![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Waterfall at Furgassie River at Roura, jungle view, swamp near Kaw
Fauna![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Common squirrel monkey, Brazilian agouti, Brown capuchin monkeys Lizard, iguana, toad ?, ?, crabs, turtle tracks, leatherback turtle laying eggs Butterflies and moths Tarantula, caterpillar, spiders, dragon fly Pale-throated, three-toed sloth Here's a short clip of the sloth and its baby Frigate bird, bird, toucan, humming bird, macaw, kiskadee, woodpecker Poison-dart frog
Flora![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Flowers, fungus Trees, vines, palms, bamboo, eco-systems
Au Revoir!![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Floup! Iles du Salut from the air, airport group, Haiti
(Images copyright Douglas Scott; please contact dscott"AT"astro.ubc.ca for full resolution versions) |