UPDATE: NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore successfully launched the Black Brant XII carrying the KiNET-X mission at 8:36 p.m. ET Sunday.
It released vapor tracers over the Atlantic Ocean around 10 minutes after launch, just north of Bermuda.
Watch the launch below.
Previous story below:
After several weather and inspection delays, the rocket launch set to produce stunning effects able to be seen as far as the Tampa Bay area is now set to liftoff Sunday night.
The space agency is launching a suborbital sounding rocket mission to explore energy transport in space on May 16 from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Liftoff is scheduled for no earlier than 8:04 p.m. ET with a 40-minute launch window, but viewers in Florida will want to keep an eye out as the four-stage Black Brant XII rocket climbs through the sky.
Sunday's launch attempt will be NASA's final opportunity to send the rocket into space.
According to a press release, the rocket releases barium vapor that will form two green-violet clouds that will be visible for about 30 seconds before they start to dissipate.
"The barium vapor is not harmful to the environment or public health," NASA wrote, adding that the material that makes up the vapors is the same used in fireworks.
The vapor will be released anywhere between 9.5 minutes to 10 minutes post-launch and you'll want to look for the brightly colored spherical clouds.
NASA predicts the brief light show will be visible as the rocket reaches up to 249 miles above the Atlantic Ocean and is positioned just north of Bermuda.
For Floridians trying to catch the sight, that means you'll need to look east.
It's important to note that clear viewing of the colorful display will vary based on where you live, the weather and how nightfall interacts with the clouds.
If you'd rather see the moment up close you can tune into the mission's live coverage on the Wallops IBM video site on launch day.
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