International Space Station and Space Shuttle 12 Dec 2006

[acc]

For some strange reason and out of my normal self, I managed to wake up at 6.30am this mrning to prepare my portaball for a close encounter with the ISS. I observed from my east-facing balcony, so much of the first-half of the transit starting from the north and through the zenith was obstructed. The ISS was kind of late and with the sun's rays rapidly encroaching, I was fast losing hope of catching a glimpse of the space station.

Then it suddenly appeared, still dazzling bright. It was quite a rush getting the ISS centred in the finder and then hurriedly peeking through the ep. Initially I could only catch a tantalising split-second glimpse of the station as it dashes across the eyepiece's field-of-view. Eventually though, I managed to sweep the Portaball at the correct speed and angle to catch the station for a 10-second stretch as it races towards the horizon. Through the ep, the space station appeared VERY bright, and was quite a sight to behold. The space-station's distinctive shape could be seen clearly; somewhat like too tiny "t" stacked one on top of the other. By the ISS disappeared from view, I was in a 'high', like a voyeur who has gained forbidden gratification... Well worth interrupting a nite's sleep for. Hopefully the next time round, I will get to see the space shuttle

cheers
cc

BTW, I was using a Meade 5k 24mm ep (84 deg fov) for a magnification of 65x.

[Canopus Lim]

Yup same thing as what I have experienced. I saw the T-shape but could not see double T with my C5. The ISS was late in the approach, I thought it would not even appear and was rather disappointed especially having to wake up at 6am. Then after my toilet break I saw it!

[boothee]

Hi All,

Recently I saw ISS passing through Yangon Sky as mentioned in Heavens-Above.

I can't believe my eyes! It really come up to the real sky within the predited period.

I forgot to bring my Bino today. No choice I just observe with Naked Eye. And show some other people.


Cheers!!!

boothee

[starfinder]

hey CC,

congrats on sighting the ISS/shuttle thru your scope! must have been a sight to remember.

hope to see it one day as well. didn't know its shape could be easily seen at under 100x.

what a thrill!

my observation this morning was that it moved quite fast when coming out of the north and climbing up the sky, and then crossing over the zenith. however, its apparent motion seemed to slow down considerably when it was moving away in the south, especially the last 30 seconds. i think that difference has somthing to do with relative positions / parallex, etc.

[acc]

Thanks Gavin. Yes its was a thrilling event for me I had wanted to use a higher magnification but luckily didn't as it would have made tracking the station more difficult. Hope to try again on Fri am.