Delta IV rocket sails into the twilight

This 13-second exposure shows a Delta IV rocket streak toward orbit at 6:38 p.m. Friday, March 11. That's only nine minutes after sunset, so the light prevented a longer exposure. This exposure was kind of pushing it, as the photo is somewhat overexposed.

I once again had to stay close to work for this launch because of my responsibilities as a breaking-news reporter. Thirty miles south of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, I shot this close-up with a 500mm lens from Rotary Park, along the Indian River in the Rockledge area.

A 1.3-second exposure of the rocket as it carries a National Reconnaissance Office satellite into space.

This United Launch Alliance rocket flew in a medium configuration, meaning it had two solid rocket boosters. The solid fuel gives off a contrail starting at liftoff, and the above photo shows the remnants.