La Société Guernesiaise Astronomy
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Visible passes of the
International Space Station
and other satellites
The International Space Station moving from Gemini to Ursa Major on 23 November 2011 (Guernsey 60-second all-sky camera image)
The
International Space Station rising over
Many people have expressed interest in seeing the International Space
Station (ISS), which regularly passes through our skies.
The ISS appears like a very bright star moving from west to east, at an
angular velocity similar to a plane, and taking a few minutes to cross the
sky. During morning passes, especially the very early morning ones, the
satellite may be in the Earth’s shadow, and therefore invisible, for the first
part of a pass. Similarly, the satellite may enter the Earth’s shadow
during the late evening passes. Note that many other, fainter, satellites
are also visible. The ISS is the brightest. The Space Shuttle is
also bright, and can be seen when it is in orbit, sometimes close to the
ISS. Many other, fainter, satellites are also visible.
The
International Space Station (left) preceded the Space Shuttle Endeavour, flight
STS-118 (right) by 3 minutes in this sequence taken on
Click
on the images for full-resolution version (2.4 MB)
The International Space Station (left) preceded (by
about 20 seconds and 150 km) by the fainter Jules Verne Automated Transfer
Vehicle (ATV) on
They were passing above Polaris, and through Ursa
Major.
The link below will take you direct to a page, configured for the
latitude and longitude of St Peter Port,
A flare from the Iridium 95
satellite on
Click here for the Heavens Above web site
Then click on “ISS” for Space Station predictions. The table then shows
the local time, altitude (in degrees above the horizon) and compass direction
to look when it first becomes visible; the time, altitude and direction when it
reaches maximum altitude; and the time, altitude and direction when it
disappears. In the evening the “end” time may be when it disappears into the
Earth’s shadow; in the morning the “start” time may be when it emerges from the
Earth’s shadow.
For predictions of Iridium flares
we suggest you use the more precise locations given by the links below:
Also see: NASA
ISS sighting information for Guernsey.
Satellite visibility predictions and topical astronomical information can
also obtained by calling the astronomy newsline run by Astronomy and Space
Magazine: tel 09001 881950. There is
a charge for this service.
Launch of the last Space Shuttle
Atlantis on 08 July 2011
The Space Shuttle rapidly
disappeared into cloud, leaving just a smoke trail
Text and pictures © David
Le Conte
Heavens
above On-line satellite prediction
Where is the
International Space Station?
Where is the Space
Shuttle?
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