Shuttle launch description

My brother Lee down on Oak Island sent me this email description of the nighttime shuttle launch earlier this week.

"Almost 3am. I walked over to the beach around 2:20 to try to see the 2:28 launch. "Guess-timated" from my watch on the countdown, and sure enough, about a minute later: there it was. Even more impressive (I'm easily impressed) than last time. A red dot coming straight out of the ocean. The brightness and intensity was similar to seeing the red light on top of a water tower in the distance, but steady instead of flashing. Was visible for 30-45 seconds. Was bright enough to cast a "moon-beam type" glow on the water all the way through the surf. It then re-appeared in the northeast , like a bright star, moving quickly and visible for probably another 4-5 minutes before I lost sight. (Last time , we left as soon as the initial red dot disappeared, but someone told us it would re-appear, as it did). Like I said, I'm easily impressed. Was 43 degrees, but calm winds, so quite nice on the beach, although I was alone..."