Space Station Spotting

[silverthorn2151]

I will never get tired of pointing it out to people and saying 'yes, it really is'.

Mind you, the family and some friends are pretty bored with me now.

[Eric Mc]

Went out and had a look at 6.25 pm last night. It was quite low in the sky but clearly visible. It passed very close to Venus.

[2fast748]

I've been trying to get my 4 year old daughter interested as clear skies and early evening passes recently have made it easier to spot.

[Zirconia]

2fast748 said:

I've been trying to get my 4 year old daughter interested as clear skies and early evening passes recently have made it easier to spot.

In case you missed it.
https://heavens-above.com
Sign up, chuck your details in (location) and get a heads up.

Envisat is an interesting one. North South. Iridium flares as well.

[Gandahar]

I'm new to this thread but can someone advise on the following so I can do ISS spotting?

1. What anorak should I get?
2. Tupperware boxes for my sandwiches, big or little?
3. Do I have to live with my mother still?
4. If it's daylight and it passes through the sun can I use binoculars as long as I am also wearing solar eclipse glasses ? Can I just sellotape the solar glasses over the end of the binoculars, or do they have to go between the eye pieces and my eyes?


Also, I have got a notebook and pen. What serial number is the ISS so I can jot it down when the time comes ?

Thanks in advance.

Bert from Euston.

[Gandahar]

In a more serious vein, and sorry to all train spotters out their for stereotyping in 3D, it might be quite good fun to have a competition who can do the best photo using a hand held camera.

There have been some great ISS pics over the years, especially in front of the sun etc, but it would be fun to see who on PH could photograph it best hand held. Sounds rather a tall order. Perhaps one for the photography thread,,,,,

[silverthorn2151]

Oh you dont need any of that stuff, just a sense of direction, a mild interest in something fascinating and details when it'll be flying over.

Oh, and you cant see it if you are a tt. Happy skywatching!

[Eric Mc]

Gandahar said:

I'm new to this thread but can someone advise on the following so I can do ISS spotting?

1. What anorak should I get?
2. Tupperware boxes for my sandwiches, big or little?
3. Do I have to live with my mother still?
4. If it's daylight and it passes through the sun can I use binoculars as long as I am also wearing solar eclipse glasses ? Can I just sellotape the solar glasses over the end of the binoculars, or do they have to go between the eye pieces and my eyes?


Also, I have got a notebook and pen. What serial number is the ISS so I can jot it down when the time comes ?

Thanks in advance.

Bert from Euston.

It's not worth going to the trouble of making sandwiches when the maximum time a pass takes is about five minutes.

A quick munch on a choccie bar will suffice.

As far as I know, the ISS doesn't have a serial number of any sort.

[Beati Dogu]

Don't forget your flask of weak lemon drink.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B3so5iWyKw


Wikipedia says the ISS's Satellite Catalog Number is 25544

Its International Designator is 1998-067A,
The first number being the year of launch (of the initial Zarya module by the Russians).
The 67th launch of the year (20th November '98)



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_...

[Eric Mc]

That doesn't count - none of it is written on the side. You can't log a number unless it's on the side of the train/plane/bus etc etc.

[Zirconia]

Probably been tagged already.

[eharding]

Gandahar said:

In a more serious vein, and sorry to all train spotters out their for stereotyping in 3D, it might be quite good fun to have a competition who can do the best photo using a hand held camera.

There have been some great ISS pics over the years, especially in front of the sun etc, but it would be fun to see who on PH could photograph it best hand held. Sounds rather a tall order. Perhaps one for the photography thread,,,,,

Cue an out-of-focus shot of Venus from Blib.

[mickk]

eharding said:

Cue an out-of-focus shot of Venus from Blib.

As if he'd venture into a science thread

[eharding]

Gandahar said:

In a more serious vein, and sorry to all train spotters out their for stereotyping in 3D, it might be quite good fun to have a competition who can do the best photo using a hand held camera.

There have been some great ISS pics over the years, especially in front of the sun etc, but it would be fun to see who on PH could photograph it best hand held. Sounds rather a tall order. Perhaps one for the photography thread,,,,,

As it happens, Scott Manley has been trying the same thing lately, with some very impressive results

His latest YouTube video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqr_qbW_avo

[Derek Chevalier]

One of the best spottings for me last night. Had been sitting in chav hot tub for half an hour in the dark at around 2030 and it came directly overhead before quickly fading. Very few planes in the sky and not a cloud in site.

[Eric Mc]

Might have a look tonight. Nice clear skies at the moment.

[Zirconia]

Got a good two nights. Lost my mojo with it night before last due to inactivity in this area but got it with Ursa Major last night as it winked out.
Travel was top to bottom in the pic.

[silverthorn2151]

Rats, just missed tonight's good pass but two good ones tomorrow.

18:51 and 20:28.

[Derek Chevalier]

silverthorn2151 said:

Rats, just missed tonight's good pass but two good ones tomorrow.

18:51 and 20:28.

Tonight was another seemingly overhead pass - crossing just south of Cranleigh

[Its Just Adz]

I watched it on Monday, don't know what made me think of checking the times, but was such a clear sight.