More than 26 years after the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff, amateur video of the incident has been released.

This video is haunting, especially given what we know now. The explosion takes place at about 1:20 into the video, but it's evident that many in the live audience were unaware what was taking place until much later.

Jeffrey Ault from Orance City, Florida was part of the live audience which was gathered less than 10 miles from Kennedy Space Center to watch Challenger's liftoff. Ault shot the Super-8 footage, sat on it for 26 years, and licensed the video to the Huffington Post.

"I was hoping to see an event that I would remember for the rest of my life," Ault said. "I did. Just not the way I would have liked to. Unfortunately, it became one of those long lasting memories for all the wrong reasons."

 

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