[RightWhale]

I'm gonna try to use it tonight to see if I can pick 'em up in binoculars as they fly over

The new "amateur" telescopes, tricked out with CCDs and computerized star atlas, could have a link to satellites. I don't know if they do, but it should be possible to link.

[LibWhacker]

Yep, I've always wanted a little backyard observatory. Or even just a nice little telescope that I could drag outside and not have to spend an hour setting up. Some of the newer scopes are truly amazing. Wife was telling me she saw something on top-end backyard observatories in USA Today the other day. Apparently, people are really going nuts and spending upwards of $200,000 on their observatories. Can't find it in the online edition, so she's bringing the clipping home with her today. Someday . . . Someday . . . :-)