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Photos: What’s that in the sky? Vandenberg rocket launches

A Minotaur I rocket carrying an Air Force satellite into orbit creates a spectacular display as it streaks above downtown Los Angeles in September 2005.

A Minotaur I rocket carrying an Air Force satellite into orbit creates a spectacular display as it streaks above downtown Los Angeles in September 2005.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

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A look at some of the most visually spectacular rocket and missile launches over the last two decades from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, Calif.

Minotaur I rocket

The ribbon-like contrail of a Minotaur rocket carrying an Air Force satellite into orbit floats in the early-evening sky above Los Angeles in September 2005.  (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile

The September 2002 launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile made for a dazzling light display visible from Interstate 15 about 30 miles southwest of Baker. Sunlight from below the horizon reflects off the ascending missile’s contrail to create a colorful effect that diminishes in brightness at lower altitudes.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Delta II rocket

The wind-scattered vapor trail of a Boeing Delta II rocket carrying five communication satellites into orbit floats in the distance during a September 1997 football game at Newbury Park High School in Thousand Oaks.  (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)

Delta IV Heavy rocket

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy, the largest rocket ever launched from the West Coast of the United States, leaves a corkscrew smoke trail during its afternoon launch in January 2011.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile

The wind-scattered contrail of a Minuteman II intercontinental missile lingers in the sky above Los Angeles in June 1997.  (Geraldine Wilkins Kasinga / Los Angeles Times)

Delta IV Heavy rocket

The contrail from a 235-foot-tall Delta IV Heavy rocket leaves a thick, corkscrew-shaped plume shortly after launch in August 2013.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Delta IV Heavy rocket

The corkscrew contrail of a Delta IV Heavy rocket as seen from Long Beach in January 2011.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile

The launch of a Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile, which included a dummy warhead and three decoy balloons, created an unusual sight in the skies above Huntington Beach just before dusk in March 2002.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile

The colorful contrail of a Boeing Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile lingers in the early evening sky above Ventura in June 1997. Sunlight over the horizon hitting the wind-scattered contrail at different elevations causes the diminishing color effect.  (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times)

Delta II rocket

A Boeing Delta II appears to pass by a half moon in the early morning sky above Vandenberg Air Force Base in December 2001.  (Thom Baur / Associated Press)

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