Space Station Spotting

[Eric Mc]

Here we go again.

ISS visible over the UK for the next couple of nights.

The Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for launch on 7 February so there might be the opportunity to see both objects chasing each other later in the week - assuming the much delayed Shuttle launch goes ahead.

It also seems that this US military satellite which will be re-entering the atmosphere later this month is visible from southern England - although it never passes directly overhead the UK.

[Eric Mc]

I Agree - heavens-above is the simplest and most direct way of tracking the ISS (and other satellites too).

[Eric Mc]

Yes - it was a dud from the start.

Heavens-above are showing its track on their front page as opposed to the ISS at the moment.

[Eric Mc]

Heads up - 18.28 this evening - clear skies permitting.

[Eric Mc]

Skies have cleared a bit here in North Hampshire so hopefully will get another good view.

[Eric Mc]

Yes - although it should be closer to the direct overhead this time.

Watch it fade away not long after it passes overhead as it enters the earth's shadow.

[Eric Mc]

Good view - performed as predicted.

[Eric Mc]

I guess on board they're getting ready to receive their visitors - assuming Atlantis takes off on time this week.

Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 5th February 18:42

[Eric Mc]

18.44 over the horizon. 18:49 overhead.

[Eric Mc]

It faded out almost directly overhead.

It disappears from view when it enters the earth's shadow.

[Eric Mc]

It will be visible again tonight at around 17.56.

However, at 18.16 it will be followed by the Space Shuttle Atlantis - which is playing "catch up" at the moment.

[Eric Mc]

Directly to the West.

The Space Station ALWAYS appears from a westerly direction.

The Shuttle will be slightly to the south of the ISS when it appears.

[Eric Mc]

That was good.

Shuttle up next in about 15 minutes.

I'm watching the Shuttle mission on NASA TV at the moment and they are performing their initial external inspection of the outside of Atlantis.

[Eric Mc]

Atlantis has just gone over. Almost as bright as the ISS.

It was a couple of minutes later than the "heaven's above" schedule said and was actually on a track slightly north of the ISS.

[Eric Mc]

They were 6,000 nautical miles apart in space as they passed over tonight.

[Eric Mc]

I think you've got Mars in the latter shot (top right).

[Eric Mc]

The photo on spaceweather.com by John Locker is amazing.

[Eric Mc]

Well, I thought so.

[Eric Mc]

Absolutely.

Don't forget it was over 200 miles above the observer at the time it was photographed. Do you think you would be able to take a recognisable picture of a doubledecker bus driving along in Brirmingham whilst you and your camera were in London?

Also, these pictures are being taken with amateur equipment. I have seen clearer pictures of the Shuttle and the Space Station taken from the ground but they were taken from observatories with much bigger and more sophisticated equipment.

[Eric Mc]

Is that the "I didn't use a sun filter" smiley?