A bright streak could illuminate Maryland skies tonight as NASA prepares to launch three TOMEX+ sounding rockets from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The Turbulent Oxygen Mixing Experiment Plus aims to study turbulence at the edge of space, roughly 53 to 65 miles up, where the atmosphere is thin and temperatures plunge to about minus 148 degrees. The data gathered will help refine weather prediction models, aviation safety calculations, and satellite operations.
Visibility map for TOMEX+ observing window
Green (0-10 seconds after launch)
– Observers from Southern Maryland to Baltimore and nearby areas may catch the initial bright ascent as the rocket(s) rise from the launch pad.
Blue (10-30 seconds after launch)
– Two rockets release glowing tracer clouds to help track winds and movement in the upper atmosphere. The tracer plumes can become visible as bright, wispy streaks along the flight path.
Purple (30 seconds after launch and beyond)
– A third rocket carries a laser instrument that uses sodium atoms high above Earth as a marker. The resulting glow and atmospheric effects assist scientists mapping turbulence in three dimensions, with visibility continuing for several seconds to minutes after the initial plume.
What to know and how to watch
– The launch window is tonight, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., with backup dates possible depending on weather and recovery conditions.
– Wallops Flight Facility near Virginia Beach hosts the mission.
– If skies are clear, the public along the Maryland coast and inland could see a bright skyward ascent and subsequent glows from tracer clouds and the laser marker.
– NASA will livestream the launch online for those who cannot observe in person.
Context and significance
– TOMEX+ builds on an early 2000 study of upper-atmosphere turbulence by expanding to three rockets with modern instruments to capture a fuller picture of how the upper atmosphere behaves.
– By improving understanding of turbulence at high altitudes, researchers aim to refine weather forecasts, enhance aviation safety, and improve satellite operations.
Additional notes and viewing tips
– There is no official public viewing event announced for Wallops tonight, but families along coastlines, beaches, backyards, and boardwalks in the region are commonly common vantage points when conditions allow.
– Check the NASA Wallops Launch Schedule for the latest updates and livestream access.
Summary
NASA’s TOMEX+ mission is a science-driven launch designed to probe upper-atmosphere turbulence using a trio of rockets. A practical visibility guide suggests a green window in the first 10 seconds, a blue window from 10 to 30 seconds when tracer clouds appear, and a purple window from 30 seconds onward as the laser marker helps map turbulence. The mission promises insights with broad implications for weather prediction and space operations, and observers across Maryland may get a rare, direct view of cutting-edge atmospheric research.
Hopeful note
Seeing the rockets light up the night sky offers a tangible glimpse into the science shaping safer flights, better weather forecasts, and more reliable satellite services—an inspiring reminder of how curiosity-driven research translates into everyday benefits.