Space has fascinated me for most of my life, here is a link to the latest shuttle launch which has been described as one of the most beautiful ever.. launch pics in the last three pages,
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-119/ndxpage24.html

Top 5 in my experience, it looked great from my front yard, just wish I could have stopped time to adjust the camera a stop or two...  Only 9 more chances to go...

Mike

Thanks for posting that view, I would like to see a Shuttle launch. I suppose I have been lucky to see a few Bloodhound guided missiles fired, however we were in a bunker and really only saw a lot of smoke and heard a loud noise.

I saw an early satellite launch at the cape long before the shuttle.   At the time, it was very spectacular but would be quite tiny in comparison.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama is a fine  visit for anyone who can be in the area.  The immense size of the old Saturn rocket and the surprisingly  large size of the shuttle will open a few eyes.