Author Topic: STS-120: Discovery Sightings (Read 40548 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 10/23/2007 05:46 pm »

The mission thread for sightings of Discovery (and the ISS) from your part of the world. Always stunning when you see the two vehicles coasting over head.

jacqmans · « **Reply #1 on:** 10/23/2007 07:49 pm »

Space Weather News for Oct. 23, 2007
http://spaceweather.com

SPACESHIP SIGHTINGS: Space shuttle Discovery launched this morning from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on a two-week mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This means sky watchers should be alert for spaceship flybys in the nights ahead. Both Discovery and ISS will make favorable passes over many US cities with the possibility of double flybys later this week when the two spacecraft are about to dock. Subscribers to Spaceweather PHONE (http://spaceweatherphone.com) will receive email and telephone alerts of flybys in viewing range of their hometowns.

BIG FULL MOON: This week's full Moon (Oct. 25-26) is the biggest full Moon of 2007. It's no illusion. Some full Moons are genuinely larger than others and Thursday night's will be as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser full Moons we've seen earlier this year. Check http://spaceweather.com for the reasons why.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #2 on:** 10/24/2007 01:17 am »

NSF User Sighting Log for STS-120

Pass 1A: ISS passed over Lubbock at 7:55, rising to about 70 degrees overhead and passing the moon on its way out.

Pass 1B: Discovery followed less than ten minutes later passing straight overhead.

Both were tremendous!! They were the brightest objects in the sky!! It still blows my mind to think that less than ten hours ago, Discovery was sitting on a launch pad 1,000 miles from where I am. About seven orbits later, she flies right overhead. Amazing...

Hope to get some good sightings and images from everyone else!

RamjetFDO · « **Reply #3 on:** 10/24/2007 01:51 am »

The Austin sightings were amazing.

ISS was as bright as I've ever seen it, and Discovery was brilliant, too!

Looking forward to tomorrow night's pass. :cool:

Avron · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/24/2007 02:17 am »

I see our next siting is like "Mon Nov 05/05:51 AM"

Oh well.. next STS will be better

Andrewwski · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/24/2007 03:00 am »

Yup...looks like most of the northeast is out of luck for this one.

I had one for tonight, but it's been raining since last night, so obviously I can't see that one. Next one isn't for awhile.

Avron · « **Reply #6 on:** 10/24/2007 03:09 am »

Quote

Andrewwski - 23/10/2007 11:00 PM

Yup...looks like most of the northeast is out of luck for this one.

I had one for tonight, but it's been raining since last night, so obviously I can't see that one. Next one isn't for awhile.

At least the EVA's are not in the middle of the night -EDT

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #7 on:** 10/24/2007 12:11 pm »

Quote

Avron - 23/10/2007 11:09 PM

Quote
Andrewwski - 23/10/2007 11:00 PM

Yup...looks like most of the northeast is out of luck for this one.

I had one for tonight, but it's been raining since last night, so obviously I can't see that one. Next one isn't for awhile.

At least the EVA's are not in the middle of the night -EDT

They are for me.. 1 am and on, or something like that. Close enough.. I'll be sleeping, though.

Hoping to get a shot of her tonight in the sky, missed last night's.. Hopefully the sky will clear enough for a 10 minute pass.

stockman · « **Reply #8 on:** 10/24/2007 07:32 pm »

Quote

Avron - 23/10/2007 10:17 PM

I see our next siting is like "Mon Nov 05/05:51 AM"

Oh well.. next STS will be better

Avron - I am just across the lake from you and STSplus shows a pass tomorrow night of the space station (and shuttle as it will be docked by then). Of course it all depends on lighting and sky conditions but as you did indicate this seems to be the only pass until early november. From my perspective the west to South-east pass is as follows - it may be a bit lower from your perspective but you will have the lake to look across.

Oct 25

Start - 18:31 - 293 degrees
End - 18:38 - 149 degrees

Altitude - 30 degrees elevation.

I am not sure how dark it will be at 6:30 but its worth a shot assuming no clouds.

Good luck

Bubbinski · « **Reply #9 on:** 10/24/2007 07:37 pm »

Last night right after work I saw the shuttle fly overhead. Pretty bright, very high in the sky, and really nice to see in the sunset sky. In fact, KSL showed some video clips it shot from the roof of its studio in downtown Salt Lake on the 10 o'clock news. (I don't know if they have the clip online).

joncz · « **Reply #10 on:** 10/25/2007 12:04 am »

Oh the drama!

The emotion! :laugh:

Raining and cloudy in Atlanta all day, but it finally went to crystal clear skies about 30 minutes before the 1945 pass of ISS and shuttle. I come out at 1942 to find the skies completely obscured again! But a nice high-level breeze blows a break in the clouds from SE to NW, exactly opposite the direction of the pass. The ISS burst out of the clouds right at its max altitude over me, blazing and screaming across the sky. It was so bright it was easily visible through some of the thinner clouds. Discovery was about 1 minute behind and farther west -- how's that for evidence of our rotation!

:cool:

RamjetFDO · « **Reply #11 on:** 10/25/2007 01:27 am »

Another great pair of passes (ISS then Discovery) about 25 degrees MaxEl.

JLicklider · « **Reply #12 on:** 10/25/2007 01:34 am »

My first post!

I got to see ISS tonight at 6:45 CDT in Arkansas. Nearly straight overhead with a great end to the pass over the moon! SPECTACULAR!

BTW I love NSF and everything it does for my interest, strike that, addiction to all things space related! (I really want to be Astronaut when I grow up, and I'm 27!)

Mark Dave · « **Reply #13 on:** 10/25/2007 02:06 pm »

I got to see the ISS too, though not Discovery a few minutes later as the sightings guide said. Still, it was awesome.

I was also surprised it wasn't as bright as before. The last time I got to see both the shuttle and ISS-very bright that time, and everyone was out besides me to see them zoom past.

NASAJim · « **Reply #14 on:** 10/25/2007 08:33 pm »

There will be an excellent opportunity to see the ISS and Discovery as they pass almost directly over Houston shortly after 7PM local time tonight:
http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.asp?satid=25544&lat=29.763&lng=-95.363&loc=Houston&alt=15&tz=CST

The sky is crystal clear right now - let's hope it stays that way.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #15 on:** 10/25/2007 11:19 pm »

Quote

NASAJim - 25/10/2007 9:33 PM

There will be an excellent opportunity to see the ISS and Discovery as they pass almost directly over Houston shortly after 7PM local time tonight:
http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.asp?satid=25544&lat=29.763&lng=-95.363&loc=Houston&alt=15&tz=CST

The sky is crystal clear right now - let's hope it stays that way.

Lucky Houston people.

Meanwhile: http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.asp?satid=32272&lat=53.95285&lng=-1.0849&loc=York&alt=15&tz=CST

Zachstar · « **Reply #16 on:** 10/26/2007 12:16 am »

I spotted the group! It was -1.6 Mag and there was lots of local light pollution.

However that was the best chance in a few days so I am glad I caught a glimpse!

astrobrian · « **Reply #17 on:** 10/26/2007 12:33 am »

Not sure how, but at neg 2.3 I completely missed it, clear as a bell here too, would have had video but not sure why I didn't see it

Paul Adams · « **Reply #18 on:** 10/26/2007 11:39 am »

How about this: On Wednesday I was in Houston working and did not see a thing as the ISS and then Discovery only rose 20' above the horizon illuminated by sunshine and were lost in the light polution. However, minutes before I was on the phone to my wife at home north of Las Vegas as she watched ISS and then Discovery pass almost directly overhead. Was kind of fun to have it described, but I envy her "one of the best" sightings of the many we have watched.

Paul

Namechange User · « **Reply #19 on:** 10/26/2007 10:03 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 25/10/2007 6:19 PM

Quote
NASAJim - 25/10/2007 9:33 PM

There will be an excellent opportunity to see the ISS and Discovery as they pass almost directly over Houston shortly after 7PM local time tonight:
http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.asp?satid=25544&lat=29.763&lng=-95.363&loc=Houston&alt=15&tz=CST

The sky is crystal clear right now - let's hope it stays that way.

Lucky Houston people.

Meanwhile: http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.asp?satid=32272&lat=53.95285&lng=-1.0849&loc=York&alt=15&tz=CST

It was a beautiful night for the overpass. Just at dusk, Discovery/ISS passed directly overhead. Very bright and cool against the full moon rising (kind of symbolic huh?). It will do the same tonight at about 7:30

zappafrank · « **Reply #20 on:** 10/26/2007 10:44 pm »

Get a load of this pass, a guy caught it with a Meade LX200 GPS on Tuesday.

http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2007/25oct07/Bret-Dahl1.jpg">

I'm still learning on my Meade, I hope to get pictures like this in the future.

Andrewwski · « **Reply #21 on:** 10/27/2007 12:09 am »

All I can say...wow!

There's a lot of people that photograph it with telescopes...but they never seem to be that clear!

KSC Engineer · « **Reply #22 on:** 10/27/2007 12:30 am »

very cool photo!

zappafrank · « **Reply #23 on:** 10/27/2007 12:56 am »

I have a Meade LX200GPS 10" and I can put in the orbital elements into the computer and have the scope track the station.

But....lots easier than it sounds, you need a clear horizon to visually acquire the sattellite and then you gotta hope that it enters your field of view, then you hit enter on the handheld computer and it tracks, but you still need to correct it.

I have yet to have success, mostly due to horizon issues.

alexan · « **Reply #24 on:** 10/30/2007 05:05 am »

I just registered to ask about this. On the past Sunday (Oct 28) night, around 1am, I saw a blinking star in the eastern sky. It was blinking different colors (green, blue, red, white...) and moving "up" from the horizon slowly. My location was Downtown Houston. Someone told me it might have been the ISS or a shuttle, so I just wanted to confirm. Initially I thought it was a UFO, as I'd seen video clips of similar objects reported as UFO sightings.

EDIT: it was in the east-southeastern sky to be precise

Jonesy STS · « **Reply #25 on:** 10/30/2007 11:09 am »

No UK passes at all on this mission?

Jorge · « **Reply #26 on:** 10/30/2007 01:00 pm »

Quote

alexan - 30/10/2007 1:05 AM

I just registered to ask about this. On the past Sunday (Oct 28) night, around 1am, I saw a blinking star in the eastern sky. It was blinking different colors (green, blue, red, white...) and moving "up" from the horizon slowly. My location was Downtown Houston. Someone told me it might have been the ISS or a shuttle, so I just wanted to confirm. Initially I thought it was a UFO, as I'd seen video clips of similar objects reported as UFO sightings.

EDIT: it was in the east-southeastern sky to be precise

If it was blinking or showed multiple colors, it could not have been ISS or the shuttle, or any spacecraft, for that matter.

Jeff Lerner · « **Reply #27 on:** 10/31/2007 11:21 am »

We're not having any good ISS passes over Toronto, Canada this mission. For those of you with good night views and with the P6 array mostly deployed now, how is Station looking ??

Zonarius · « **Reply #28 on:** 11/01/2007 01:12 am »

Don’t look now but the ISS/Shuttle is being followed

. I watched them pass over head last night and there was a second satellite behind and to one side about 5 degrees away. It was very dim and faded out very soon after I saw it and then flashed a couple of times. So it was probably an Iridium satellite.

If any one is interested I watched the pass from Perth in Western Australia about 8:20 PM WDST.

alexan · « **Reply #29 on:** 11/01/2007 06:07 am »

If anyone in Houston is awake they need to look up in the southeastern sky right now. I'm seeing the blinking star again, right now. I only have a point and shoot camera, and upon zooming it looks like the top and bottom part of this thing are rotating. I'm no spaceflight/satellite fanatic, so I have no idea what it is.

postalworker · « **Reply #30 on:** 11/01/2007 10:03 pm »

Most likely you are seeing the planet Venus which is rising in the east now. Very early, before sunrise and high up before the sun. When it is low on the horizon the atmosphere will cause the light to wiggle and break it up into colors. I've seen the "spinning" effect of the turbulent air many times. If it seems to hang in one place for several minutes [ie - doesn't move], it's got to be Venus. Satellites and the station/shuttle complex would more resemble a passing bright plane (with no blinking lights).

Thorny · « **Reply #31 on:** 11/01/2007 10:14 pm »

Venus doesn't blink. Point-objects like stars blink, but not planets like Venus, Mars, or Jupiter. And 1am is too early for Venus.

I believe he is seeing the star Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, rising in the southeast a little after midnight.

Alexan, was there a neat row of three fairly bright stars pointing at it a little higher up in the sky? That's Orion's belt.

Mars is also rising in the east after midnight. It looks reddish/orange, but shouldn't twinkle like a star.

Edit: added possibility of Mars.

jmjawors · « **Reply #32 on:** 11/01/2007 10:22 pm »

Don't have my star charts in front of me, so I don't know what it could be. Just wanted to pipe in to say it's highly doubtful it's Venus at that time of night. Venus is the "Morning/Evening Star," not the "2am Star." :laugh: So Thorny is, I'm sure, correct.

Though I have seen Mars "twinkle..." more like shift colors. So I don't think it can be said that planets are completely exempt from that phenomenon.

Ok. Back to the planetarium, er... Discovery sightings thread.

gmog · « **Reply #33 on:** 11/02/2007 09:31 pm »

For the first time ...I just saw ISS & Discovery passing the Kuala Lumpur sky at 5:50 am...it was a great experience when I saw the bright dot flying overhead and thinking theres 10 ppl inside it working...next time I'll try get some picture of it. And also.. this is my first post here..

rdale · « **Reply #34 on:** 11/04/2007 01:43 am »

Just wanted to give a heads up - the shuttle / ISS combo will be visible across most of the US on Monday morning just after undock and during the flyaround, might be a good idea to check the times at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov and wake up early!

TJL · « **Reply #35 on:** 11/04/2007 01:56 am »

With undocking scheduled for 5:32 am Monday, and a visible pass over New York at 5:52 am, would I be able to see 2 distinct vehicles so soon after separation?

Jorge · « **Reply #36 on:** 11/04/2007 02:48 am »

Quote

TJL - 3/11/2007 9:56 PM

With undocking scheduled for 5:32 am Monday, and a visible pass over New York at 5:52 am, would I be able to see 2 distinct vehicles so soon after separation?

Perhaps with strong binoculars or a telescope. 20 minutes after undocking, the two vehicles will only be about 200 ft apart. Assuming they passed directly overhead (range ~ 200 n.mi.), you're talking about one-hundredth of a degree separation.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #37 on:** 11/04/2007 03:41 am »

Quote

TJL - 3/11/2007 9:56 PM

With undocking scheduled for 5:32 am Monday, and a visible pass over New York at 5:52 am, would I be able to see 2 distinct vehicles so soon after separation?

Possibly, but it depends how far out from the station Discovery is when they pass overhead. I imagine she'll still be moving out in front as she sets up for the fly-around. I really hope we get a chance to see the pair!! By the way, will there be a full fly-around this time, or just a quarter-lap?

Bubbinski · « **Reply #38 on:** 11/04/2007 02:23 pm »

I went out there this morning and saw the Discovery/ISS complex flying in the southeast. Briefly got brighter than Sirius, about to maybe Jupiter's brightness, but didn't get any brighter. Certainly not as bright as Venus. I was surprised, seeing as they had installed a new solar panel, but it was 15 minutes to sunrise, and ISS got no higher than 40 degrees. There's a much better pass scheduled for Tuesday morning!

Edit: Make that Wednesday morning, it'll get up to 57 degrees then. Tuesday morning's pass in Salt Lake is about the same as this morning's. Monday's pass is very low - only 12 degrees as per spaceflight.nasa.gov.

TJL · « **Reply #39 on:** 11/04/2007 04:01 pm »

Quote

nathan.moeller - 4/11/2007 12:41 AM

Quote
TJL - 3/11/2007 9:56 PM

With undocking scheduled for 5:32 am Monday, and a visible pass over New York at 5:52 am, would I be able to see 2 distinct vehicles so soon after separation?

Possibly, but it depends how far out from the station Discovery is when they pass overhead. I imagine she'll still be moving out in front as she sets up for the fly-around. I really hope we get a chance to see the pair!! By the way, will there be a full fly-around this time, or just a quarter-lap?

Expected to be a full flyaround.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #40 on:** 11/05/2007 12:52 am »

To add onto what rdale said, they changed the landing trajectory from the usual flight-over-caribbean/gulf approach to an approach that will bring Discovery over the U.S. mainland, which hasn't happened since STS-107 (Columbia accident). This allows them to land in daylight and also adds more landing opportunities to the roster. With the mission extension and added stress on the crew for EVA-4's solar array repair, they decided it would be best to land in the daylight and ensure a landing as early as possible.

postalworker · « **Reply #41 on:** 11/05/2007 11:13 am »

From North Carolina the view through a 66mm scope w/32mm eyepiece showed definate separation when the two vehicles approached 90º phase angle and at the peak of the pass. The best I can figure, at 554am EST the two were around 300 feet apart. A hint of orange color was noticed after peak altitude from the ISS (larger dot).

Jeff

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #42 on:** 11/05/2007 11:33 am »

The pair just flew right overhead and it turned out to be the greatest sighting ever (over five minutes). They came in from the SW as one really bright dot, but as they got closer they showed up as two right next to each other (ISS leading). ISS was 3-4 times brighter than Discovery thanks to those arrays! Unreal!

jeklund · « **Reply #43 on:** 11/05/2007 12:16 pm »

Awesome sighting this morning. Seeing them separate but so close together was cool. Also noticed as they moved toward the NE, that the shuttle seemed to disappear. I assume that is because I was seeing the TPS side of the orbiter.

EDIT: Mine was at 6:22 AM Central

CTdave · « **Reply #44 on:** 11/05/2007 12:59 pm »

As luck had it, my 5 year old son woke us up at 5:20a.m.
I had a GORGEOUS 57 degree view here in southeastern CT. ISS and the shuttle were the brightest object in the sky. A bright satelite passed in the same direction about 15 minutes before the scheduled fly-by time. I thought it might have been the ISS/Shuttle so I went online & checked the position. I'm glad I checked & stuck around for the real thing!!

DaveS · « **Reply #45 on:** 11/05/2007 03:46 pm »

Quote

newmann - 5/11/2007 5:42 PM

Where can I find the path that the orbiter will be following for re-entry?

What's the potential for viewing it from the Chicago area?

thanks.
-Bob

1: Not yet available. Will be posted sometime tommorow.
2: None. They usually doesn't pass over the Chicago area even during a standard ascending node entry where they come in from the south and go over Central America and this is a descending node entry where they come in from the north and fly along the eastern seaboard.
3: And this thread is for landing site weather discussions and updates.

bluebonnets · « **Reply #46 on:** 11/05/2007 03:57 pm »

Sighting location: Coventry, Rhode Island, 11-05-2007 around 5:52 a.m. EST for approximately 5 minutes with a peak of 63 degrees from SW to ENE. Suprisingly bright point of light though I can't report having seen two distinct objects like others on this thread have reported. This was my first observation of the ISS. Great experience.

psloss · « **Reply #47 on:** 11/05/2007 05:06 pm »

No, it is possible for the entry ground track to pass over Chicago on a descending node -- they did it on STS-79 and you can see it on the screenshot I posted last night:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10607&start=181#M208348

(The track doesn't really get out to the northeast...)

But there's a difference between possible and probable and we'll have to wait until we see the ground tracks...

ApolloLee · « **Reply #48 on:** 11/05/2007 05:43 pm »

Well, with the descending deorbit - the first since Columbia - we're all quickly wondering if we'll be able to watch the streak of reentry from the safety of our front porches and office lobbies.

While we'll know more tomorrow, quick questions from me..

- Will people be able to see it during daylight hours or do you need a predawn/night landing?

- What are the chances it will be able to be seen from the Las Vegas area?

Jim · « **Reply #49 on:** 11/05/2007 05:59 pm »

Darn. Can't see the re-entry from my locale.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #50 on:** 11/05/2007 06:02 pm »

Quote

ApolloLee - 5/11/2007 12:43 PM

Well, with the descending deorbit - the first since Columbia - we're all quickly wondering if we'll be able to watch the streak of reentry from the safety of our front porches and office lobbies.

While we'll know more tomorrow, quick questions from me..

- Will people be able to see it during daylight hours or do you need a predawn/night landing?

- What are the chances it will be able to be seen from the Las Vegas area?

1. You can see the trail in both daylight and nighttime re-entrys.
2. It is unknown to the public at this time. Ground tracks for all landing attempts will be available either today or tomorrow so keep an eye out for those at www.nasa.gov.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #51 on:** 11/05/2007 06:02 pm »

Quote

Jim - 5/11/2007 12:59 PM

Darn. Can't see the re-entry from my locale.

You might have a good view of the landing though

AND you get the sonic booms. I hope to at least hear those when she comes in.

ApolloLee · « **Reply #52 on:** 11/05/2007 06:05 pm »

Quote

Jim - 5/11/2007 10:59 AM

Darn. Can't see the re-entry from my locale.

Yeah...... Can see launches and landings.... Right outside your office window.....

Yeah... must be tough... How do you survive?

psloss · « **Reply #53 on:** 11/05/2007 06:06 pm »

Yeah, I wish there was still the opportunity to see approach and land as there was out at Edwards or Dryden in the 80s and 90s. I only saw three, but those were as fun as the launches, if not more so in one case.

Andy_Small · « **Reply #54 on:** 11/05/2007 06:07 pm »

Quote

Jim - 5/11/2007 12:59 PM

Darn. Can't see the re-entry from my locale.

Somehow I can't take pity on a person that can look out of his office and see the launch! :laugh:

I'm hoping for a Missouri fly over. If it is I will tape it and share!

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #55 on:** 11/05/2007 06:13 pm »

Quote

Andy_Small - 5/11/2007 1:07 PM

Quote
Jim - 5/11/2007 12:59 PM

Darn. Can't see the re-entry from my locale.

Somehow I can't take pity on a person that can look out of his office and see the launch! :laugh:

I'm hoping for a Missouri fly over. If it is I will tape it and share!

Seconded. But this is where the competitive hoping comes into play

But I'm willing to bet anyone from this site who sees it will post vids/pics. If we get a Texas pass, I'm ditching class for a short while to film it and take some pictures. I'll need two cameras but I have friends

Andy_Small · « **Reply #56 on:** 11/05/2007 06:22 pm »

Quote

nathan.moeller - 5/11/2007 1:13 PM
Seconded. But this is where the competitive hoping comes into play But I'm willing to bet anyone from this site who sees it will post vids/pics. If we get a Texas pass, I'm ditching class for a short while to film it and take some pictures. I'll need two cameras but I have friends

already have a call into the mother in law for her DV camera. Will have digital camera on hand as well. Wish they would hurry up and post the ground tracks!

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #57 on:** 11/05/2007 06:33 pm »

Quote

jeklund - 5/11/2007 7:16 AM

Awesome sighting this morning. Seeing them separate but so close together was cool. Also noticed as they moved toward the NE, that the shuttle seemed to disappear. I assume that is because I was seeing the TPS side of the orbiter.

EDIT: Mine was at 6:22 AM Central

TPS would have been facing upward at this time, as the flyaround was complete and Discovery was departing the station and trailing behind. Her attitude was upside-down and backwards, so you would have been facing the nose. Her payload bay was facing us as she was directly overhead. Glad you got to see her! It's cool thinking that two people who are hundreds of miles apart can look up and see the same exact objects traversing a morning sky.

jeklund · « **Reply #58 on:** 11/05/2007 07:21 pm »

Is it possible to see the reentry during the day with the naked eye assuming the ground track is close enough?

Never mind. Just saw the reentry thread.

collectSPACE · « **Reply #59 on:** 11/05/2007 07:27 pm »

Quote

nathan.moeller - 5/11/2007 1:02 PM

Ground tracks for all landing attempts will be available either today or tomorrow so keep an eye out for those at www.nasa.gov.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts120/news/landing.html

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #60 on:** 11/05/2007 07:32 pm »

Thanks Robert. I'm hoping for a landing on the second KSC opportunity!! She'll pass just north of us!

ZANL188 · « **Reply #61 on:** 11/05/2007 07:37 pm »

Severe clear and cool this morning in South Georgia for ISS & Shuttle visual pass though I could not distinguish two vehicles. The twosome came up out of the southwest, passed just inside Orions right foot, went overhead at 86 deg alt at 05:51:45AM, then headed towards the northeast while passing down the handle of the Big Dipper.

I've been observing shuttle & iss passes for the past decade and, although I could not see 2 vehicles, this was the best I've seen yet.... was also cool to watch the undocking on NASA TV, then run outside for the pass, & then run back in to watch the flyaround.

James Lowe1 · « **Reply #62 on:** 11/05/2007 07:38 pm »

No need for two threads on the same thing. Merged.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #63 on:** 11/05/2007 07:42 pm »

Quote

ZANL188 - 5/11/2007 2:37 PM

Severe clear and cool this morning in South Georgia for ISS & Shuttle visual pass though I could not distinguish two vehicles. The twosome came up out of the southwest, passed just inside Orions right foot, went overhead at 86 deg alt at 05:51:45AM, then headed towards the northeast while passing down the handle of the Big Dipper.

I've been observing shuttle & iss passes for the past decade and, although I could not see 2 vehicles, this was the best I've seen yet.... was also cool to watch the undocking on NASA TV, then run outside for the pass, & then run back in to watch the flyaround.

Two distinct vehicles weren't visible until Discovery was trailing ISS by a good distance. I saw the pair pass overhead at 6:21 am and it was one of the most impressive views I've ever seen.

jeklund · « **Reply #64 on:** 11/05/2007 07:49 pm »

Here's to a first opportunity pass almost right over KC!

CTdave · « **Reply #65 on:** 11/05/2007 07:51 pm »

Quote

It's cool thinking that two people who are hundreds of miles apart can look up and see the same exact objects traversing a morning sky.

Remember the line from M.A.S.H. when (I forget his name) the guy who always dated "hot lips" was lost off base & they were talking to him on the radio.

Base; What is your location?
guy; I'm directly under the brightest star in the sky, right.......................now (as he walked around a bit)

Andy_Small · « **Reply #66 on:** 11/05/2007 07:55 pm »

okay question on the first approach...it will be quite a bit south of where I am at. I won't be able to see her unless she's right over the top of me right?

CTdave · « **Reply #67 on:** 11/05/2007 08:03 pm »

Quote

ZANL188 - 5/11/2007 2:37 PM

Severe clear and cool this morning.
I've been observing shuttle & iss passes for the past decade and, although I could not see 2 vehicles, this was the best I've seen yet.... was also cool to watch the undocking on NASA TV, then run outside for the pass, & then run back in to watch the flyaround.

Same weather here in CT & I was doing exactly as you were

orion61 · « **Reply #68 on:** 11/05/2007 08:07 pm »

Not sure if anyone's posted this, but if you go to the Skywatch java applet at the following link, it will give more precise information on where to look in the sky if a sighting is possible and/or if you might be able to hear the sonic booms. The booms are generally not audible if the pass is below 20 degrees elevation, according to Nasa, but a sighting may still be possible.

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

To use it, go to the "Input" tab, and key in your location (either select from the pull down menus and map or give latitude/longitude). Select the landing opportunity (KSC238 for the first or KSC239 for the second in this case) under the "satellite" pull-down.
Then click the "Next Sighting" button, and go to the "Table" tab to see the information, including elevation, range and azimuth.

Good luck and hope this helps!

MKremer · « **Reply #69 on:** 11/05/2007 08:07 pm »

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Andy_Small - 5/11/2007 2:55 PM

okay question on the first approach...it will be quite a bit south of where I am at. I won't be able to see her unless she's right over the top of me right?

Depends on the reentry altitude in your vicinity. The further away, the closer to the horizon - at transition it could be 200 miles or more, at the end of peak heating maybe 100 miles or less.

ZANL188 · « **Reply #70 on:** 11/05/2007 08:11 pm »

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nathan.moeller - 5/11/2007 2:42 PM

Two distinct vehicles weren't visible until Discovery was trailing ISS by a good distance. I saw the pair pass overhead at 6:21 am and it was one of the most impressive views I've ever seen.

I've observed proximity ops before from the ground where I could not see 2 vehicles and the guy next to me could... of course I had about 20 years on him ....

Where were you at 0621AM? North Atlantic?

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #71 on:** 11/05/2007 09:02 pm »

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ZANL188 - 5/11/2007 3:11 PM

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nathan.moeller - 5/11/2007 2:42 PM

Two distinct vehicles weren't visible until Discovery was trailing ISS by a good distance. I saw the pair pass overhead at 6:21 am and it was one of the most impressive views I've ever seen.

I've observed proximity ops before from the ground where I could not see 2 vehicles and the guy next to me could... of course I had about 20 years on him ....

Where were you at 0621AM? North Atlantic?

I live in Lubbock, TX, so it was 6:21 CST/7:21 EST when they flew overhead (just under an hour after undocking). I don't know if this helps, but if you held your pointer finger and thumb about an inch apart and held them up to the sky at arm's length, that's about how far apart they were at the time of the sighting.

nichojo · « **Reply #72 on:** 11/05/2007 09:05 pm »

Wow. Wednesday is going to be a INCREDIBLE day for me if they opt for the first opportunity. In Auburn, AL, it will pass about 30 miles away at 11:49. I cannot wait and I'm praying I will get to see it.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #73 on:** 11/05/2007 09:09 pm »

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nichojo - 5/11/2007 4:05 PM

Wow. Wednesday is going to be a INCREDIBLE day for me if they opt for the first opportunity. In Auburn, AL, it will pass about 30 miles away at 11:49. I cannot wait and I'm praying I will get to see it.

Welcome to the site and best of luck

Although I have to hope they come in on the second try. If they don't, I think I'll get a shot on STS-125. STS-103 and STS-109 flew right over Texas during their entries. So, if not Wednesday, maybe next August!

nichojo · « **Reply #74 on:** 11/05/2007 09:18 pm »

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nathan.moeller - 5/11/2007 4:09 PM

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nichojo - 5/11/2007 4:05 PM

Wow. Wednesday is going to be a INCREDIBLE day for me if they opt for the first opportunity. In Auburn, AL, it will pass about 30 miles away at 11:49. I cannot wait and I'm praying I will get to see it.

Welcome to the site and best of luck Although I have to hope they come in on the second try. If they don't, I think I'll get a shot on STS-125. STS-103 and STS-109 flew right over Texas during their entries. So, if not Wednesday, maybe next August!

Thanks for the welcome! At this point in its flight, what would one expect in terms of visibility?

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #75 on:** 11/05/2007 09:21 pm »

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nichojo - 5/11/2007 4:18 PM

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nathan.moeller - 5/11/2007 4:09 PM

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nichojo - 5/11/2007 4:05 PM

Wow. Wednesday is going to be a INCREDIBLE day for me if they opt for the first opportunity. In Auburn, AL, it will pass about 30 miles away at 11:49. I cannot wait and I'm praying I will get to see it.

Welcome to the site and best of luck Although I have to hope they come in on the second try. If they don't, I think I'll get a shot on STS-125. STS-103 and STS-109 flew right over Texas during their entries. So, if not Wednesday, maybe next August!

Thanks for the welcome! At this point in its flight, what would one expect in terms of visibility?

I can't say for sure, to be honest. I think they're coming out of the entry stage at that point and the glow would be dimming as she descends through the upper atmosphere. But I almost guarantee you'll get rocked by the twin sonic booms as she flies overhead. I've never heard them myself, but I listened to a recording of Atlantis' booms during entry after STS-115 and it was absolutely stunning. They're not so much 'bangs' as they are booming pulses. Just amazing.

MKremer · « **Reply #76 on:** 11/05/2007 09:28 pm »

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nichojo - 5/11/2007 4:18 PM

Thanks for the welcome! At this point in its flight, what would one expect in terms of visibility?

If it were me, I'd stand in a shaded area and start scanning toward the horizon in the direction of the reentry track (probably NE or NNE?), and look for a moving bright dot. Once you spot it, binoculars may help keep it in sight if it's past the area of peak heating as it heads toward the SE.

MKremer · « **Reply #77 on:** 11/05/2007 09:33 pm »

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nathan.moeller - 5/11/2007 4:21 PM

I can't say for sure, to be honest. I think they're coming out of the entry stage at that point and the glow would be dimming as she descends through the upper atmosphere. But I almost guarantee you'll get rocked by the twin sonic booms as she flies overhead. I've never heard them myself, but I listened to a recording of Atlantis' booms during entry after STS-115 and it was absolutely stunning. They're not so much 'bangs' as they are booming pulses. Just amazing.

At the altitude at that point (likely still well above 200K feet), and the atmospheric density, it's very doubtful you'd hear anything at all.
(Compared with Concorde which flew below 60K ft at supersonic speeds)

Bubbinski · « **Reply #78 on:** 11/05/2007 09:43 pm »

If there's an orbit 239 landing....there would be a pass right over Salt Lake! I'll be watching.....

MKremer · « **Reply #79 on:** 11/05/2007 09:47 pm »

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Bubbinski - 5/11/2007 4:43 PM

If there's an orbit 239 landing....there would be a pass right over Salt Lake! I'll be watching.....

And pretty much over the Dallas/Ft.Worth area. (Too bad I live in S.Texas! :bleh: )

generic_handle_42 · « **Reply #80 on:** 11/06/2007 10:34 am »

About 6:15 eastern this morning I found myself standing outside in the 1 degree celsius temperature to watch a brilliant dawn flyby of the two vehicles.

The pass began with the sighting of the ISS in the SW at a 10 degree altitude. It was about magnitude -1.9. It was followed about 3 seconds later by a fainter Discovery at magnitude -0.9. The pass reached an altitude of about 60 degrees, and then faded into the ENE after a lengthy five-minute pass. It was a lucky pass, since the clouds managed to stay out of the area where the vehicles were traveling.

Even though it was probably fruitless, I gave a quick wave and wishes for a safe return to Discovery as she flew by.

Clydes07 · « **Reply #81 on:** 11/06/2007 11:03 am »

Wow, i got to see a double sighting for the first time! Right on time at 6:13ET(southeastern Indiana) i saw the ISS coming out of the southwest and then just a few seconds behind it was the shuttle. They went right over my house and i had a good five minutes of viewing time. I've never gotten to see the shuttle by itself, and the novelty of seeing the station still hasn't worn off yet, i saw it for the first time last year. It is usually too cloudy here during the double sighting opportunities. I thought the shuttle would be dimmer than it was, tried looking through my binoculars but they're too wimpy to make out anything. This was cool!

CTdave · « **Reply #82 on:** 11/06/2007 12:14 pm »

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generic_handle_42 - 6/11/2007 5:34 AM
I gave a quick wave and wishes for a safe return to Discovery as she flew by.

Excellent!

Unfortunately the cold front brought rain earlier today. I did get to see they yesterday just as they were undocking. Very cool to say the least!

Lee Jay · « **Reply #83 on:** 11/06/2007 12:15 pm »

Great pass over Colorado this morning. They went straight overhead. Instead of getting out the big lens, I went for a fisheye this time.

Jeff Lerner · « **Reply #84 on:** 11/06/2007 12:35 pm »

I also saw this morning's pass over Toronto...nice clear morning with a very bright Station leading the Shuttle. Just out of curiosity, as impressive as the Station is in terms of brightness, it remains a very "star-like" object to my aging eyes. How big would Station have to be to resolve details with the naked eye

..I'm thinking x times current size ??...Star Wars "Death-Star" size

Lee Jay · « **Reply #85 on:** 11/06/2007 01:12 pm »

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Wildthing - 6/11/2007 6:35 AM

I also saw this morning's pass over Toronto...nice clear morning with a very bright Station leading the Shuttle. Just out of curiosity, as impressive as the Station is in terms of brightness, it remains a very "star-like" object to my aging eyes. How big would Station have to be to resolve details with the naked eye ..I'm thinking x times current size ??...Star Wars "Death-Star" size

"x" would be triple digits. It's a couple of hundred miles away. I used 18x50 Canon IS binoculars this morning, and couldn't see any detail.

jacqmans · « **Reply #86 on:** 11/06/2007 01:20 pm »

See the ISS and Discovery in the morning sky over Europe

6 November 2007

Early tomorrow morning there is a rare opportunity to see the Space Station flying in formation with Space Shuttle Discovery, homeward bound and due to land in Florida tomorrow evening.

Between 06;30 and 06:37 CET the ISS, followed at a distance by Discovery, will fly along a line stretching from Cadiz (Spain), over Barcelona, Marseilles (France), Turin and Milan in northern Italy, towards Austria.
Residents of Paolo Nespoli's home town of Verano Brianzo, near Milan, should have a clear view as they wake up. For early risers in Sicily, southern Italy, and Greece, the Station and Shuttle will be visible one orbit or 90 minutes earlier, between 04:59 and 05:03 CET (05:59 and 06:03 Eastern European Time for Greece).

For precise times over your home town, consult 'Heavens Above'.

Discovery and the STS-120 crew undocked from the Space Station at 11:32 CET, 5 November, and are scheduled to touchdown in Florida at 19:02 CET (18:02 UT) on Wednesday 7 November.

Calling amateur photographers

If you manage to catch a great photo why not send it to us? ESA will publish the best photographs on the Esperia website. Send your photographs in high-res jpeg format to: contactesa @ esa.int

jeklund · « **Reply #87 on:** 11/06/2007 04:51 pm »

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Clydes07 - 6/11/2007 6:03 AM

Wow, i got to see a double sighting for the first time! Right on time at 6:13ET(southeastern Indiana) i saw the ISS coming out of the southwest and then just a few seconds behind it was the shuttle. They went right over my house and i had a good five minutes of viewing time. I've never gotten to see the shuttle by itself, and the novelty of seeing the station still hasn't worn off yet, i saw it for the first time last year. It is usually too cloudy here during the double sighting opportunities. I thought the shuttle would be dimmer than it was, tried looking through my binoculars but they're too wimpy to make out anything. This was cool!

I saw them at the same time here in Kansas City. Sure makes it feel like a small world.

collectSPACE · « **Reply #88 on:** 11/06/2007 07:36 pm »

The following was provided in hard copy to media at JSC:

Description of ground tracks for entry Wednesday

Orbit 328

Crossing over North America from the North West to South Eart
Start over west coast of British Columbia near Vancouver
Cross over
- Montana
- Northeast corner of Wyoming
- Southwest corner of South Dakota (Rapid City)
- Central Nebraska
- Northeast Kansas (Topeka)
- Southwest corner of Missouri
- Northeast Arkansas
- Tennessee (Memphis)
- Northeast corner of Mississippi
- Alabama (Birmingham)
- Georgia (Columbus)
Across northern border of Florida toward east coast (between Orlando and Daytona Beach) and KSC.

Orbit 239

Crossing over North America from the North West to South East.
- Shallower track over Southwestern United States than first opportunity
Start over the west coast of Oregon near Portland.
Cross over
- Southwest corner of Idaho
- Utah (Salt Lake City)
- Colorado
- Northeast corner of New Mexico
- Panhandle of Texas (Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Dallas-Forth Worth)
- Lousiana
Skirts along the coast and over the Gulf before crossing over the west coast of Florida near Cedar Key and Waccasassa Bay, heading east just north of Orlando to KSC.

lbvp · « **Reply #89 on:** 11/06/2007 08:24 pm »

Great view this morning in Northern Ohio. Wasn't sure if the cloud cover was going to clear out but enough moved out that we a great view over head.

« **Reply #90 on:** 11/06/2007 11:04 pm »

I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and about 1 hour away from Birmingham. Will I be able to hear the sonic booms or see Discovery on landing tomorrow? On orbit 328? How loud are the sonic booms?

bkellysky · « **Reply #91 on:** 11/07/2007 10:53 am »

This morning before sunrise, just north of New York City, I saw the Discovery and the ISS overflights. Also, Mercury, the crescent moon, Venus, Saturn, Mars, Comet Holmes and lots of stars were out. A great morning for observing with just the human eye, taking in the scene. Using my Canon A40 on a tripod, I got photos of Discovery and the ISS passing over at 4:55EST and 5:05 EST, respectively. It was cloudy here yesterday, so I missed the chance for a photo of the two of them together. The photo of Discovery's trail in the sky turned out to be special since I'm in the photo, too. (Really, I was trying to block out a street light!)

I hope for good weather for those of you lucky enough to be under the landing track today! Bring them home, Discovery !

bob kelly
ardsley, new york

ChrisC · « **Reply #92 on:** 11/07/2007 11:39 am »

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orion61 - 5/11/2007 4:07 PM

Not sure if anyone's posted this, but if you go to the Skywatch java applet at the following link, it will give more precise information on where to look in the sky if a sighting is possible and/or if you might be able to hear the sonic booms. The booms are generally not audible if the pass is below 20 degrees elevation, according to Nasa, but a sighting may still be possible.

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

To use it, go to the "Input" tab, and key in your location (either select from the pull down menus and map or give latitude/longitude). Select the landing opportunity (KSC238 for the first or KSC239 for the second in this case) under the "satellite" pull-down.
Then click the "Next Sighting" button, and go to the "Table" tab to see the information, including elevation, range and azimuth.

Good luck and hope this helps!

I'm quoting this post from a few days ago because I don't want anyone to miss it. This is a fantastic little Java app that calculates visibility along the landing ground tracks. It's too hard to find just by navigating NASA's site. Follow the instructions above.

The only thing I have not been able to find is an altitude profile of the landing. All I've found is 400000 feet at EI and 83000 feet at TAEM, which leaves about half an hour of mystery in between

Also does anybody know how high up you can still hear the boom on the ground? I think someone posted here about hearing it in Chicago a few years ago.

How about CROSSRANGE audibility? I'm 100 miles away from the ground track when it's about 30 miles / 150000 feet up.

Raoul · « **Reply #93 on:** 11/07/2007 11:50 am »

Which one is behind the other? Some say Discovery is chasing ISS (therefore behind) and the first object is more brilliant, others say it's the opposite?

http://www.spaceweather.com/

Bubbinski · « **Reply #94 on:** 11/07/2007 12:26 pm »

I just went out there and saw the shuttle pass overhead at 5:57....nice to see. It was about as bright as Saturn at its best, and passed almost overhead (73 deg). After Discovery passed, I looked at Pleiades, Orion, Comet Holmes to the west....then 10 min after Discovery came ISS!! WOW. That's the brightest I've ever seen her. At its peak ISS was about as bright as Venus, for most of the pass it wasn't quite as bright, but definitely much brighter than Sirius and Mars almost all the way through. I could just about make out the H shape if I squinted in the binoculars too. (10x50's)

Can't wait till STS-119....how bright will ISS be then?

paulrix · « **Reply #95 on:** 11/07/2007 02:15 pm »

It's been a while since I posted here but I thought you guys would like to see a couple of images I took yesterday morning (Nov 6th 0616 EST) as the ISS, with Discovery trailing a little way behind passed high overhead my location in Zanesville Ohio...

ISS - (could anyone point me in the right direction to try and identify the individual components of the structure?)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/PaulRix/Astronomy/isssts120a110607Ad.jpg

From the same pass I also managed to get an image of Discovery..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/PaulRix/Astronomy/sts120a110607B.jpg

Image scale set to 200%:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/PaulRix/Astronomy/sts120a110607C.jpg
I took them with my Meade LX200 SCT and a Philips SPC900NC webcam. I aimed the scope manually using a Telrad finder.

Edit: Not sure what I am doing wrong but I don't seem to be having any luck posting the images so I will just leave the links..

Zoomer30 · « **Reply #96 on:** 11/07/2007 04:12 pm »

Dumb question, will the Discovery be visible from Iowa? It comes rather close (I was surprised to see how much of the Midwest it goes over this time). On the first pass it comes down over Nebraska and than Missouri. Guess if I could see it it would be very low on the horizon (I am in North Iowa)

nichojo · « **Reply #97 on:** 11/07/2007 05:03 pm »

Couldn't see her in Auburn - just too bright. We did hear some beautiful twin booms though! WELCOME BACK!

ChrisC · « **Reply #98 on:** 11/07/2007 05:49 pm »

I'm in downtown Atlanta. The ground track went through Columbus GA, getting within 100 miles of us at its closest. It was thus very unlikely that we'd be able to see it, but it was going to peak at 16 degrees above horizon and we have spectacular clear skies today (cold front just went through) so I decided to give it a shot. A work colleague and I went to the roof of our 15 story office building and scanned the skies with binoculars at the right time and in the right direction. Sadly, not a thing to see. At 16 degrees above horizon, our shot was well out of the worst of the ground haze but ... still ... that's a hundred miles of atmosphere we were trying to look through! Plus it was backlit. Oh well!