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Astronomy/Luxor Light from Outer Space
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Question
Is the Luxor light one of the two man made things that can be seen from outer space? (the other being the great wall of china)
I assume you mean the hotel in Las Vegas.
First of all, the Wall of China. From low Earth orbit, where the Space Shuttle travels, about 200 miles up, the Wall of China is ONLY visible in Binoculars. Many Astronauts have tried to see it naked eye from the Shuttle, and could not. For more on this "legend" go to:
http://www.snopes.com/science/greatwal.htm
Now according to the Hotel, the Luxor Light can be seen from outer space. Well, maybe from a very low shuttle orbit of 150 miles, but probably not from a normal orbit of around 200 to 300 miles up. Technically, space begins just above the atmosphere, around 60 miles up, so from there, probably visible. But NOT from OUTER space as the Luxor web site says, and not from a normal Space Shuttle or Space Station orbit of 200 miles
Steve
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Answers by Expert:
Steven LJ Russo
Expertise
As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.
Experience
Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.
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