Space Station

[lostcarpark]

Just saw the ISS. I thought there was now hope of seeing it today, as it's been cloudy all day, but about half an hour ago the clouds started to clear from the north, and by 23:23 patchy clear sky extended far enough south that I was able see it for about a minute before it disappeared into the haze.

It was like a very bright star, moving slowly across the night sky in a way that would have sent wise men of old running for their camels.

Perhaps I'm easily amused.

Comments

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Can you see any features on it with, say, a normal pair of binoculars? or is that silly?

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Not silly at all, but unfortunately I didn't have a pair to hand or I'd have tried it (if I'd thought there would be a better chance of seeing it I would have been better prepared). The solar panels are effectively just big mirrors, so I suspect they would resolve quite quickly.

Better be ready next time!

[spodlife]

I'm still chuffed from see the ISS and Shuttle chase each other through the late evening sky a couple of years ago.

I didn't have any binocliers or a telescope to see any details, and they covered half the sky in about 10 minutes.