Posted on 01/07/2023 3:59:16 PM PST by MtnClimber
Explanation: On January 3, two space stations already illuminated by sunlight in low Earth orbit crossed this dark predawn sky. Moving west to east (left to right) across the composited timelapse image China's Tiangong Space Station traced the upper trail captured more than an hour before the local sunrise. Seen against a starry background Tiangong passes just below the inverted Big Dipper asterism of Ursa Major near the peak of its bright arc, and above north pole star Polaris. But less than five minutes before, the International Space Station had traced its own sunlit streak across the dark sky. Its trail begins just above the W-shape outlined by the bright stars of Cassiopeia near the northern horizon. The dramatic foreground spans an abandoned mine at Achada do Gamo in southeastern Portugal.
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.
Gee...
One of the cooler things I’ve seen was just after the Shuttle undocked from the ISS. That just happened to happen over my viewing area. I’m not sure which was which, but I saw one go by, and about three minutes later, the other.
Great view of the Big and Little Dippers with Polaris!
Yeah, saw them just after separation over Oahu 14 or so years ago. Was not sure which was which, one in the lead was a bit more dim, assumed that was the shuttle. Both still fairly close together.
Lucky spotting.
One evening I saw the last shuttle and the ISS when they were not more than 5 degrees apart (2011). Awesome sight to catch.
I have seen the Tiangong pass over too many times to count. I assume it may have a little to do with the military bases along the East Coast.
Talk about perfect timing, at one of our astronomy club meetings, it was getting dark and we went outside and watched the ISS go overhead followed by a Space Shuttle that was catching up to it, followed about 30 minutes later by an Iridium flare.
Even in space, the Chinese are taking the “high ground”.
Thanks! I Really enjoy APOD!
Here is a space station you can see if you squint.
https://wiki.fed-space.com/images/2/28/Earthspacedock3.jpg
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