UPDATE: Rocket Launch Delayed Until Sunday Night

SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: The launch of the rocket was delayed on Sunday night due to "upper level winds not being within the required limits for a safe launch," according to a tweet from NASA.  The new scheduled launch is Monday around 8 p.m. Clouds will cover the sky over the Seacoast on Monday night making for less than ideal viewing.

SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE:  The launch of the rocket has been delayed until Sunday night at 8 p.m., according to NASA due to poor weather conditions. Weather conditions may not be ideal to view the launch from the Seacoast as the forecast calls for cloudy skies on Sunday night.

A rocket scheduled for launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia early Saturday evening could be visible in the skies over the Seacoast.

What rocket is being launched?

A four-stage Black Brant XII rocket is scheduled to be launched at 8:02 p.m., just after sunset, with a launch window of 40 minutes. The launch was originally scheduled for Friday but was scrubbed due to weather.

Where can I see the rocket?

It could be visible over much of the eastern United States.

What you'll see will be the release of barium vapor 9 or 10 minutes into the launch forming two green-violet clouds that may be visible for about 30-60 seconds in northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire including the immediate Seacoast and 60 to 90 seconds in southern Maine.

We'll need a little luck to see it as the forecast calls for cloudy skies.

Rocket emissions cause weird colors

Immediately after the vapor is released, spherical clouds will form which are a mixture of green and violet and last about 30 seconds. After exposure to sunlight the vapor clouds quickly ionize and take on a violet color.

The barium vapor is not harmful to the environment or public health.

Livestream video of rocket launch

Live coverage of the mission will be available on the Wallops IBM video site (beginning at 7:40 p.m.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH