[amsat-bb] Re: visual sighting of ISS

[Curt Nixon]

Yes...I neglected the fact that it depends on where you are on the globe 
as to your opportunity for high elevation passes.

I just saw one the other nite that came in from about 15 degrrees and 
was directly in line with the approaching airline pattern landing 
queue.  It was WAY brighter than the headlights on the planes--I was 
very vocal about how bright it was--even XYL was impressed ;)  ( tho she 
thought we weren't too bright for being out there in the 18 degree night 
looking up in the sky)



Gordon JC Pearce MM3YEQ wrote:
> Curt Nixon wrote:
>   
>> As Jim says, the light in your area will greatly effect how you see 
>> ISS.  I have seen it perhaps 50 times over the last couple of years.  I 
>> live in a very high light suburban area.  When it comes over on a clear 
>> nite, however, anything above about 45 degrees, it will appear as the 
>> brightest thing in the sky.  It looks like a very intense landing lite 
>> on an airliner--once it gets over 45 degrees.
>>     
>
> Bah.  This far north it never gets above 35 degrees.  I've still seen it 
> though, and on a good clear night with the sun just below the horizon 
> it's easily mag -1 ;-)
>
>   
>> The times to see it best are in the predawn and just after sunset.  If 
>> you use one of the general sat tracking programs like Orbitron, Nova, or 
>> similar, watch for passes where it is dark for you on the ground--you 
>> are on the dark side of the terminator, and the ISS is still 
>> illuminated.  This will be on passes where it goes over you within 1/2 
>> hour or so of sunrise or sunset, generally.
>>
>> One of the neatest things I've ever seen in the sky was the 90 degree 
>> elevation pass of ISS and the Shuttle in tandem.
>>
>> Good luck and have fun.
>>     
>
> Now that would be something to see.
>
> Gordon
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
>