Top investigators of the Columbia space shuttle disaster are analyzing a startling photograph -- snapped by an amateur astronomer from a San Francisco hillside -- that appears to show a purplish electrical bolt striking the craft as it streaked across the California sky.

The digital image is one of five snapped by the shuttle buff at roughly 5:53 a.m. Saturday as sensors on the doomed orbiter began showing the first indications of trouble. Seven minutes later, the craft broke up in flames over Texas.


View: Full Article | Source: SFGate.com

so what is the purpose of taking his camera? that is odd

good find, MM. i am very interested in how this investigation turns out. today NASA downplayed the role of the 'debris' that hit the left wing during the ascent to space. that means that something else is most likely to blame after all.

Has anybody seen the photo's?

Good find Magik.
A report was recently released where NASA was warned back in 1990 that there could be a disaster with the tiles. NASA now says this tragedy wasn’t caused by tile damage from the debris. Then you have this article…makes you think if there is a conspiracy behind this. Conspiracy or not, I think NASA knows more than they’re saying.

one reason for taking the camera would be to see if it has any faults defects etc.

And on that note

click here

Thanks crosis, that explains it

Kismit,

The article states that the photographer wasn't planning on making the photo's public until after NASA had a chance to analyse them. They may turn up eventually.

Here's another article that shows some amateur video taken while the shuttle was over Arizona. It may be the first indication of the shuttle experiencing problems, as it looks as if parts of the shuttle are starting to break away much earlier than first thought;

CLICK HERE

Magikman