International Space Station and Shuttle Viewing Opportunities

Since we have this great clear summer weather at night, this is a great chance to get out and see the docked International Space Station and Shuttle as they fly overhead. NASA has set up a website to help track these viewing opportunities and there is an "applet" to download to help you track the overhead time according to your Zip Code.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/JavaSSOP.html

I plugged in my zipcode and it spit out a chart of all the viewing times over the next several days. The table translates as follows (this is the information for zipcode 98683)

There is a 3 minute long pass tonight starting at 10:23 PM, approaching from 28 degrees above the NNW sky and departing to 15 Degrees above the ENE sky. Maximum elevation is 33 degrees.

The next longest overhead here will be a 4 minute long pass on Sunday night beginning at 21:46 PM, approaching from 29 Degrees above the NNW sky, and departing to 10 degrees above the East sky. Maximum elevation is 33 degrees.

Those passes are not high overhead, but if the sky is clear you will have no problem identifying the Shuttle-Station in flight. It will appear to be bright golden in color from the solar arrays, and depending on the attitude when it flies overhead, you should be able to pick out the shuttle with a good set of binoculars with no problem.

Good fun for the kids, and it's not too late at night for them to stay up and see it. The sky should be darkening enough by then that an orbital object this large and bright should be easy to spot.

Please check that web link and download the applet to get the entire list of opportunities for your area. I only listed the 2 longest passes, there are several more that only last about a minute, and the shuttle will be up there for 16 days...

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.