SANTA BARBARA, Calif.–The latest SpaceX launch from Vandenberg became a topic of conversation due to the loud sonic boom that followed.
Even retired Westmont Physics Professor Dr. Ken Kihlstrom recall its being a loud one.
“It did seem a little bit louder but I didn’t find it bothersome.”
He can imagine others being alarmed like Santa Barbara local Julie Stender.
“It sounded like a big boom like a big car accident like two cars smashing together,’ said Stender.
Gabrielle Johnson heard it from her home on the Santa Barbara Riviera and wondered what is was until she saw people talking about it online.
She said people have been talking about it on Nextdoor.com ever since.
John Verosko of Camarillo heard it too, but he said he knew about the launch beforehand.
He said he is also used to military aircraft noise coming from Pt. Mugu.
Kylie Boston of Lompoc said she is used to it, but said Friday’s sonic boom was loud.
Kihlstom, who earned his his doctorate in physics from Stanford, enjoys explaining the sound and put his whole body into it making a v with his hands.