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Space Sonic Boom Over California Coast
10 Apr
Summary
- Orion spacecraft to splash down off California coast.
- Sonic boom expected between 5 and 5:15 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Astronauts traveled farther than anyone in history.
The Artemis II mission is set to conclude on April 10 with the Orion spacecraft's return to Earth. The spacecraft will splash down in the Pacific Ocean approximately 2,000 miles off the California coast, marking the end of a remarkable 10-day journey. This voyage saw astronauts travel farther into space than any humans in history.
A significant atmospheric event, a sonic boom, is expected to signal the spacecraft's fiery re-entry. This thunderous vibration is predicted to occur between 5 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. Pacific Time. The U.S. Geological Survey anticipates the sound may be heard throughout Southern California.
A sonic boom is generated when an object travels faster than the speed of sound, which is roughly 750 miles per hour at sea level. These pressure waves combine to form shock waves, creating a noise often likened to thunder. Residents who hear the sonic boom are encouraged to report their observations.
