Space Station Spotting

[central]

Will it show again tonight?

[AngryS3Owner]

Silly question here, but what did it actually look like to the naked eye. I could see something last night, it was like a VERY high plane with two fixed lights at each end but it seemed to be leaving a trail so I'm guessing it was actually a plane? Anyone got any pics?

[drive2tractors]

central said:

Will it show again tonight?

The data for Kettering shows visible tomorrow from 19:27:17 to 19:27:39 so not for long. Look at www.heavens-above.com log on and set your location. Try the link in my above post and this will show shuttle sightings if they launch.
Andrew

[drive2tractors]

AngryS3Owner said:

Silly question here, but what did it actually look like to the naked eye. I could see something last night, it was like a VERY high plane with two fixed lights at each end but it seemed to be leaving a trail so I'm guessing it was actually a plane? Anyone got any pics?

Looked like a largeish bright light travelling across the sky like a jet. No flashing lights or trails just a constant bright spot, no detail visible but knowing what it is makes it exciting!!
Andrew

[central]

drive2tractors said:

central said:

Will it show again tonight?

The data for Kettering shows visible tomorrow from 19:27:17 to 19:27:39 so not for long. Look at www.heavens-above.com log on and set your location. Try the link in my above post and this will show shuttle sightings if they launch.
Andrew

[Yertis]

I have a fairly powerful reflector telescope which I occsionally use to gaze at the stars (The Pleiades are my favourites ) . I've trained it onto this space station in the past and to save you the trouble it looks like this:

[Eric Mc]

To the naked eye and even in binoculars it only shows up as a bright dot. With a proper tracked telescope and camera set up some very good amateur shots of the ISS and Shuttle have been obtained. These photos appear from time to time in the various astronomy mags and it's amazing the detail they can pick up.

[Racefan_uk]

Eric Mc said:

To the naked eye and even in binoculars it only shows up as a bright dot. With a proper tracked telescope and camera set up some very good amateur shots of the ISS and Shuttle have been obtained. These photos appear from time to time in the various astronomy mags and it's amazing the detail they can pick up.

Any online links to any of these Eric?

[schuey]

Yertis said:

I have a fairly powerful reflector telescope which I occsionally use to gaze at the stars (The Pleiades are my favourites ) . I've trained it onto this space station in the past and to save you the trouble it looks like this:

Looks a tidy bit of engineering that. Must have some ex MG guys working for them!

[jmorgan]

Re images. I have seen a corker of the ISS being chased by the shuttle crossing the sun.

!!Obviously the usual do not look at the sun especially through optics applies. Unless you know what yo are doing and have the correct gear!!!

Can't find the link at the moment.

[Eric Mc]

I did a search on the Internet a while ago for ground based shots of the Shuttle and the ISS and came up with nothing. All the images I've seen have been in magazines. The BBC's "Sky at Night" magazine is usually good for high quality images.

[jmorgan]

Here is one crossing the sun
Link

Edited to add, its from this site which is well worth a look.
http://www.astrophoto.fr/index.html

Edited by jmorgan on Monday 22 October 13:13

Edited by jmorgan on Monday 22 October 13:20

[central]

central said:

drive2tractors said:

central said:

Will it show again tonight?

The data for Kettering shows visible tomorrow from 19:27:17 to 19:27:39 so not for long. Look at www.heavens-above.com log on and set your location. Try the link in my above post and this will show shuttle sightings if they launch.
Andrew

Missed it!

Anyone see it?

[Eric Mc]

Another pass overhead Southern England in about 1 1/2 hours (17.19 pm).

Should be very bright

[Road Pest]

Heaven's above star chart doesn't quite match mine. Am in Leicester I take it we can see it overhead too?

[Eric Mc]

Won't be as overhead as here in Farnborough, Hants but it should still be fairly high in the sky.

[Road Pest]

Is it easy to view with telescope or not worth trying?

[Hedders]

Road Pest said:

Is it easy to view with telescope or not worth trying?

You should see it very easily without one! It will be a bright dot moving across the sky at a similar speed to how a jetliner looks.

[Eric Mc]

Mk1 eyeball is best fort ISS viewing.

[Road Pest]

Won't bother cracking open the christmas present then while the wife is sleeping ...