Reflecting the International Space Station (Astronomy Picture of the Day)

APOD NASA ^ | 28 May, 2020 | Helmut Schnieder/NASA

[MtnClimber]

Explanation: Still bathed in sunlight, the International Space Station arced through the evening sky over lake Wulfsahl-Gusborn in northern Germany, just after sunset on March 25. The familiar constellation of Orion can be seen left of the trail of the orbital station's bright passage. On the right, Venus is the brilliant evening star above the western horizon. With the camera fixed to a tripod, this scene was captured in a series of five exposures. How can you tell? The short time delay between the end of one exposure and the beginning of the next leaves small gaps in the ISS light trail. Look closely and you'll also see that the sky that appears to be above the horizon is actually a reflection though. The final image has been vertically inverted and the night skyscape recorded in the mirror-like waters of the small lake.

[MtnClimber]

The launch to the ISS yesterday scrubbed due to weather.

[MtnClimber]

Image is at link.

[real saxophonist]

I've seen the ISS fly over a few times. The coolest was when the Shuttle had just undocked, and they were still pretty close. I saw one, then the other about 30 seconds later.

Here's a helpful link: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/

[Hatteras]

I have seen the ISS pass by a number of times in the past few weeks. On a couple of occasions twice in one evening. It was heading from west/southwest to east/northeast. First pass high in the east at about 75-80 degrees. Second pass lower in the sky to the west about 20-25 degrees. It takes about 1-1/2 hours.

Also caught a few of the Staarlink satellites. Counted about 7 or 8 (before my neck got tired) and they were about 2 minutes apart. Pretty cool.

Thanks for the post. Great photo.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*APOD ping*

[Hatteras]

"The coolest was when the Shuttle had just undocked, and they were still pretty close."

I saw them as well. I believe it was the last shuttle mission. But the shuttle was approaching the ISS and, if you held your hand up to them, they were only about a thumb width apart. It was pretty amazing to see.

[DannyTN]

Let me reflect on that.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Here you be!

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