International Space Station Viewing

[daviescr]

I'm looking forward to some favourable conditions for viewing ISS fly-bys in the coming week, especially as the Shuttle is currently docked.

For most it will only be visible as a fast moving, solid (i.e. not flashing) white light, quite low in the sky. I'm hoping to get some long exposure shots...

Here's the schedule:

[Rivergirl]

Thanks for that Chris. Let's hope we get some clear skies

[Meso]

So are they Australian times? Do I just look north around 7pm tomorrow night and hope for the best?

Thanks for info!

[daviescr]

Hi Greg, yes, this data is based on Melbourne as the location, and times are AEST.

You can select various cities here

Conditions are favourable - and I reckon you'll be even better off out your way. Only hitch is the near-full moon

[daviescr]

Also, the first couple of passes will be pretty low in the sky, around 10 degrees above the horizon, and only visible for a minute or so. The Monday @6.49pm pass will be best - close to 45 degree elevation and 3 minutes time in the NNW.

[daviescr]

Was very hazy last night during the first pass, no chance of viewing. Hoping for better skies on monday and tuesday, but not holding my breath right now.

[Rivergirl]

Thanks Chris, will have to check that out. Would love to get some pics.

I received the Timer Remote Shutter Release that I mentioned in the Milky Way thread from Hong Kong on Friday. Works well Such an amazing price.

[Australis(Shell3155)]

Robyn this is out my kitchen window back in April. I had posted it in EveryDay Chat thread.

[Rivergirl]

Wow Shell, yes I remember that. I'm glad you posted it here. A lot of the Astronomy related threads have been pulled over into this section but if you have any pics or posts in other sections that haven't come across please repost here if you get a chance. You inspired me to start this Astronomy section Shell, I've learnt a lot from you. Thanks

[Rivergirl]

SPACESHIPS IN THE SUN:
from http://www.spaceweather.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Space shuttle Atlantis undocked and backed away from the International Space Station on July 19th at 4:18 am EDT. Less than an hour later, the two spacecraft flew directly in front of the sun over the Czech Republic in Europe:



Astrophotographer Thierry Legault traveled 1300 km from Paris to take the picture--the last double transit of the shuttle program. "The shuttle was poised to begin its flyaround of the ISS at the time of the transit," he says. Legault has taken pictures like this before, sometimes even better, but never quite so final. The shuttle will return to Earth permanently on Thursday, July 21st, at 5:57 am EDT. "Farewell, Atlantis!" says Legault.

[Rivergirl]

from: www.spaceweather.com

The crew of the International Space Station photographed Atlantis even closer to landing, but the orbiter was no longer technically in space. It was reentering Earth's atmosphere:



The green band of light that Atlantis is plunging into is called "airglow." Airglow is a luminous bubble that surounds our entire planet, decorating the top of the atmosphere with aurora-like color. Although airglow resembles the aurora borealis, its underlying physics is different. Airglow is caused by an assortment of chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere driven by solar ultraviolet radiation; auroras, on the other hand, are prompted by gusts of solar wind.

[Rivergirl]

from: http://www.universetoday.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ghostly Landing of Atlantis Closes Americas Space Shuttle Era Forever
by Ken Kremer on July 24, 2011



Atlantis swoops in like a ghost to end NASA’s Space Shuttle Era on July 21, 2011
Atlantis and her crew of 4 speedily glided to a nearly invisible safe landing at 5:57 a.m. EDT on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Atlantis landing at the conclusion of the STS-135 mission closed out the Space Shuttle Era after three decades of flight. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com)

Barely discernable in the pre-dawn twilight and appearing as an eerie, ghost like figure, Space Shuttle Atlantis and her four person crew swiftly glided to a triumphant landing at the Kennedy Space Center that closed out NASA’s three decade long Space Shuttle Era – in the wink of an eye it was all over.

Atlantis touched down almost invisibly on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 5:57 a.m. EDT and rolled to a stop moments later to conclude the history making 13 day flight to the International Space Station and back. During the STS-135 mission Atlantis orbited the Earth 200 times and journeyed 5,284,862 miles.

The all veteran crew of space flyers comprised of Shuttle Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim.

[tonycynic]

A great time to see the ISS saturday morning, skies should be clear and it will be going almost over the top of us.
6.11am, rising in the WNW, 6 minute transit and 80 degree elavation.
Will be getting up for this one.

[daviescr]

Excellent, thanks for the head-up Tony - have been a bit slack lately in keeping an eye on this. Camera at the ready

[Rivergirl]

Thanks tonycynic

[tonycynic]

Well the skies were clear this morning so I got a good look at the ISS, it was moving faster than I expected and the camera was not set up as I wanted but got a pic or two.

[Rivergirl]

Wow great you captured it tonycynic, well done! I forgot

[Astronomer]

If you are after the passes data, plus some other objects of interest, try here. http://www.heavens-above.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; you will need to plug in your location. Quite a few useful things there .

Interestingly a telescope coupled with a video camera of sorts can resolve the solar panels on the station.

[daviescr]

Tony, well done on capturing the pass the other week, superb.

Have been a tad busy recently, but was able to view it briefly up in Bright this last weekend, was too excited to get any non-blurry pictures

[Rivergirl]

Thanks Astronomer Hi Chris