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November 29, 2009

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Rocket leaves spectacular trail

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

It wasn't a celestial artist who created the picture in Las Vegas skies Thursday. It was the work of a Minuteman II rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, Calif.

Military officials called the illuminating effect a "twilight phenomenon." The intercontinental ballistic missile, launched at 5:17 p.m. from Vandenberg, released nine targets in the upper atmosphere.

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