Some people are surpirsed to hear that the International Space Station is visible from time to time. After all, this giant metallic conglomeration of modules and solar panels is orbiting around the Earth in the emptiness of space. The truth is, the ISS is a leisurely three-and-a half hour drive straight up if you start your trip at the right time.
The ISS moves into a favourable viewing time-slot every few weeks and for a period of a couple of weeks you have the chance to see it again and again --it comes around approximately every 90 minutes. Its position in the sky changes because in addition to the ISS orbit, the Earth is rotating as well.
You may have seen the ISS before and not even known. It appears like a little dot or star --similar to a high-flying airliner except for the fact that you will see no blinking lights. Imagine the people sitting up there about 350 km over our heads. They are up there for months at a time. I wonder if they ever grow tired of looking down at the Earth?
On March 1st, it appears about 10 degrees above the horizon in the West-Northwest at 7:32 PM and then moves across the sky and upwards to the North-Northwest by approximately 7:35 PM. The highest point reached will be about 25 degrees above the horizon. After it reaches that point, the ISS will arc into the North-Northeast and fade from view at about 7:36 PM.
Happy hunting!
Hi Steve
Another excellent job, keeping us all post as to night sky events. Keep up the great work. I look forward to reading your next blog's.
Posted by: H. Gilday | February 28, 2006 at 02:22 PM