Astronomy thread!

[RICHARD]

Has anyone gone out to watch the ISS and Shuttle fly over lately?


I have caught it three times in the last week.

IT's absolutely spectacular and you really do not need any special equipment to see it.

The Delta Aquarid meteor shower, is visble at 3:00 a.m. on 7/29, and in August the Perseid showers go on for a few days.

YOU can get info about the Shuttle/ISS flybys by looking on the NASA site!

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...=United+States

[Barbara]

3.00 a.m. - I don't know when it would be over here but probably at a time in which it would be too light to see it!

[Cinder & Smoke]

YOU can get info about the Shuttle/ISS flybys by looking on the NASA site!

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...=United+States

Wow!

LOTTA good info, sky maps, How to View tips, and other Good Stuff on
that site!

If you*click* on the Underlined words "NASA Skywatch" on that page >>>


Satellite Sighting Information

The following sighting information is published by the Johnson Space Center, Flight Design Division, Orbit Flight Dynamics Group. Sites are chosen in order to provide a representation of the world's demographic distribution. To compute sighting data for sites not listed here, please use the NASA Skywatch applet which will allow you to enter your exact location.

You'll open up a very detailed application that plots viewing data for your
exact Zip code - and gets you to the detailed Skyview Maps that show
you what the sky should look like at the time of the sighting.

Here's a super helpful page >>>
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...ngs/index.html

Check the article "Sighting Help" in the lower-left corner ... very helpful to learn how they describe where to look.

NEET Stuff, RICHARD!!

[RICHARD]

Check the article "Sighting Help" in the lower-left corner ... very helpful to learn how they describe where to look.

NEET Stuff, RICHARD!!

Tonight's pass was brilliant! It came out of the NW and passed almost overhead. Soon after it winked out as it passed into the earth's shadow.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

It's fantastic to see it!! No telescope needed!
Hey Richard, did you know that one of the astronauts is a Belgian, Frank De Winne ? He will take over command during several months! We are all so proud here in Belgium!!
this is him! See the Belgian flag on his arm?

[RICHARD]

See the Belgian flag on his arm?

That must be really neat to see one of your fellow citizens up in the air!

Here in the U.S. we don't look at the space program as anything special-we watch the launches, then forget about the rest of the mission.

Here in Southern California we can hear the sonic booms when the shuttle lands at Edwards Air Force Base!

[RICHARD]

Tonight the Shuttle and the ISS will be visible as separate objects passing overhead.

The shuttle will be first, followed by the ISS one minute later.

Both will come out of the west, the shuttle at 08:46 followed by the ISS at 8:47 PT.

They will both appear about 27-31 degrees from the horizon. THe easiest way to find them is to make a fist and hold it at arm's length.
Put the bottom of your fist (pinky) on the horizon-your fist is about 10 degrees worth of arc- three stacked fists, from the horizon is about 30 degrees!

Good luck!

[Daisy and Delilah]

I was lucky enough to see it last night before 10 p.m. It was awesome. I have only seen the ISS, not the space shuttle yet. I wasn't even aware it is visable to us. Thanks!

[RICHARD]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

I am giddy!



As the shuttle and space station passed over I saw two falling stars!

With the moon in the sky?

That was awesome!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

I am giddy!



As the shuttle and space station passed over I saw two falling stars!

With the moon in the sky?

That was awesome!

Woohoo !! Make a wish Richard!!!Today, you're born to have luck!!!

[RICHARD]

Woohoo !! Make a wish Richard!!!Today, you're born to have luck!!!

I was so giddy I forgot!


There is one more shuttle pass tonight. Check the NASA site to see what time it comes by!


Last night's pass was so spectacular. The shuttle came first followed by the ISS on the same track-When they were almost directly overhead a shooting star flashed by, about 10 seconds later, another followed!


Tonight's shuttle pass will last less than one minute and will pass low on the horizon!


Good Luck!

[cassiesmom]

Check this out...
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...ngs/index.html
I tried it for Chicago. Monday was the night to have seen it and I missed it. But there was a lovely moon last night It doesn't get really good and dark around here for looking at the night sky.

[RICHARD]

Check this out...
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...ngs/index.html
I tried it for Chicago. Monday was the night to have seen it and I missed it. But there was a lovely moon last night It doesn't get really good and dark around here for looking at the night sky.

Well, we are going to have to find you some other stuff to look for!

There's TONS of stuff to watch for in the night sky!

Ready? We are going to make you an astronomer!

In the next few days, go watch where the sun sets. Now, mark that spot in your head. Then, in the morning watch where the sun rises!

When your neighbors are not looking, stand and use your left hand to point to the sunset, your right hand where the sun rises!

You are a compass! You are facing north and your back is to the south.

At night, go out, then look up. take a few minutes to get your bearings, find a star you like and follow it for a few minutes every night. You'll start to see things you never noticed!

----------------------

Here's another fun thing to do.


Check your local newspaper and see when the moon rises and sets.

Find out when the full moon rises, then take a few mintues to watch!

A setting moon in the early morning hours is very nice treat!

[RICHARD]

It's fantastic to see it!! No telescope needed!
Hey Richard, did you know that one of the astronauts is a Belgian, Frank De Winne ? He will take over command during several months! We are all so proud here in Belgium!!
this is him! See the Belgian flag on his arm?

http://www.esa.int/esaHS/ESA0EUZUMOC_astronauts_0.html

[kokopup]

Frank De Winne is quite an accomplished young man and Astronaut.
Belgium should be very proud of him. Lut it looks like he grew up
very close to you.