Scientists Capture Hayabusa Re-entry

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Hayabusa spacecraft leaves a streak of light behind the clouds is as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere over the Woomera Test Range in Australia. This image was taken from Kingoonya, South Australia – a nearby town – and was captured by leaving the camera lens open for 80 seconds. In Kingoonya, the spacecraft’s re-entry was visible to the human eye for only 15 seconds.