Source:
http://heavens-above.com/
Posted on 06/28/2010 5:54:44 PM PDT by ETL
The ISS [International Space Station] continues to orbit Earth in almost constant sunlight, setting the stage for multiple bright flybys in the night sky. Some observers are seeing the space station as often as five times a night!
There are three easy ways to prepare. First, you can check our online Simple Satellite Tracker for viewing times. Second, if you have an iPhone, download the Simple Flybys app and your iPhone will guide you to the space station. Third, and finally, our flybys app is now available for Android phones, too!
Check the website heavens-above.com for visible pass information for your neck of the woods. See "Satellites" => "ISS". You'll have to first register and provide your general location so that you can receive the proper pass schedule for your area.
The ISS appears as a bright white light (no blinking or colored lights). It moves across the sky at the apparent rate of a high-flying airplane. Passes range from about 1 minute to about 5 minutes in duration.
Note: The linked SpaceWeather.com visible pass info ("Simple Satellite Tracker") is a lot easier to use (you only need provide your zip code) but only gives pass info for very high (easiest to see) ISS passes. -ETL
Source:
http://heavens-above.com/
We saw it the other night and it was absolutely beautiful. For a change up here in WA we had a clear sky.
I watched it last night and the night before. Pretty amazing to see, considering the area that thing covers in such a short amount of time. It’s interesting in how it always appears/disappears ABOVE the horizon, unlike aircraft that come over the horizon.
Sometimes it ‘appears’ or ‘disappears’ when it moves into or out of Earth’s shadow.
We had a great pass one time while we had the backyard full for a dinner party. I felt like Bing Crosby in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court when I told everyone to look up in the sky at just the right time!
Live From the ISS:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html?param=station
ISS Home page:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
I’ve been watching it for years, and never cease to marvel at the wonder of it all. I go to http://spaceflight.nasa.gov and click on the realtime data tab. I choose sighting opportunities, enter the country and nearest city, and I get a chart showing all sightings for a week or so. Info shows direction and elevation of approach, duration, and d & e of departure. It is soooo accurate! You can go outside at the time indicated, look up in the direction and elevation indicated, and it appears as though someone turned on a switch! Too cool!
Images of the International Space Station (ISS) in orbit approximately 220 miles above Earth:
Thanks for that link. I keep forgetting to include it on these threads.
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“It was a great pass last night. Went almost right over my apartment. I tracked it with my telescope and some third party software, here’s the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB2-4ubEH3A
It starts off small and indistinguishable but you can see how quickly it grows in size as it approaches. I was able to follow it until the telescope’s mount began an automatic cord untangle maneuver at the peak of the pass (82 degrees high).”—FReeper messierhunter
It is balloon!
F-Troop! Remember it well! Had a crush on the girl in it.
That’s so cool. I’ve tried setting my scope with some 3rd party software to track that and the last shuttle mission. Had everything good to go and 30 minutes before they were to pass over, the clouds/fog moved in.
Reference bump! ;-)
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