Looking for something to watch on Thanksgiving you're sick of football? Check out this fantastically well-made video of the STS-129 Atlantis Shuttle launch [Update: that video has been removed from YouTube, but is now on Facebook]. Do yourself three favors: I've embedded the video below, but go to the original YouTube page, click the "HD" link, and turn your volume up. The whole thing is pretty freaking cool, but the launch starts at about the 2:20 mark. I also love the sideways view starting at 3:40; you can really see the Shuttle rock to the side when the liquid-fuel engines ignite (the solid rocket boosters ignite just as the Shuttle swings back to vertical). The music is very cool. Anyone recognize it? [Edited to add: Christine in the comments has a list of composers.] Also: the Shuttle is due to land in Florida on Friday morning; the two potential landing times (pending weather) are 9:44 a.m. and 11:19 a.m. EST (14:44 and 16:19 GMT). If I'm up, I'll live tweet it!
Tip o' the reentry tile to my friend Dan Durda, who has seen more Shuttle launches than practically anyone.
