Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
The International Space Station passed over Dover at 22:30 last night so a couple of us popped out into the garden to watch it. It appeared as a bright pinpoint of slightly orange coloured light that tracked from the south-west to the north-east, covering horizon to horizon in about three or four minutes or so. What was bizarre was that there was a second point of light, less intense, that flew ahead of the ISS on an identical orbit probably about six or seven seconds ahead of the station. By this, I mean that the ISS passed the same point in the sky a few seconds later. The point of light did not deviate from the flight path and appeared, for all intents of purposes, to be at a fixed distance ahead of the station as if it was to dock.
I initially thought I was lucky enough to glimpse the Space Shuttle about to rendezvous, but Endeavour had not lifted off - the flight has been delayed until later tomorrow (Monday). So what the heck was it? I don't think for a minute it was an alien spacecraft or any of that baloney, but if anyone has a rational explanation I would be pleased to hear it.
Alas, I have no photo - I've tried to take the ISS before but my camera just isn't up to the task so I didn't even try tonight. However, I do have an independant witness who can verify I wasn't delusional (about this at least!).
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Sorry to ruin this so quickly, but I think I've found it. It was probably the Russian built Progress-33 unmanned cargo supply vessel and was due to re-dock today to perform tests on newly installed docking equipment. Prior to rendezvous it had been placed into a parking orbit. Oh well, that was fun while it lasted.
The ISS is passing over tonight at 22:52 if anyone fancies a quick butchers.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Thanks Phil
As a boy I was always fascinated by space and space travel; seeing science-fiction in the 50's turn to science-fact in the late 60's and beyond, especially getting to the Moon and then Mars.
If I'm still up at that time, I'll go and see and of course if it isn't cloudy.
Roger
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
OK, below are the viewing times the ISS is due to pass over Dover in the next week. Assuming Endeavour makes it this evening, one might have a good chance of seeing the shuttle fly past too. Given that the shuttle only has seven more planned flights after tonight and will be retired late 2010, it might be one of the last chances to see it in orbit.
Mon Jul 13 10:52 PM
Tue Jul 14 00:27 AM
Tue Jul 14 09:42 PM
Tue Jul 14 11:17 PM
Wed Jul 15 00:52 AM
Wed Jul 15 10:06 PM
Wed Jul 15 11:41 PM
Thu Jul 16 10:30 PM
Fri Jul 17 00:06 AM
Fri Jul 17 10:55 PM
Sat Jul 18 09:45 PM
Sat Jul 18 11:19 PM
Sun Jul 19 10:08 PM
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
you were wrong on this one phil, i was abducted by the green people this very day.
before you ask they do still carry out rectal examinations.
i will be walking with a pronounced lisp for some time.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Well done with that Phil...will try and spot it later. It looks like it might be a clear night.
Looks like you had a rough time with the aliens Howard lol!!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
keep applying the cream howard,it will work sooner or later.
ps.have you tried that new heamoride cream its suposed to work wonders.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
This is a very good link from the European Space Agency if anyone is interested. It tells you the times and exactly where to look for the ISS. The link should automatically default to Dover.
http://esa.heavens-above.com/esa/iss_step2.asp?Loc=Dover&Lat=51.125&Lng=1.309&TZ=GMT
Assuming the clouds part, don't forget tonight to look out from 21:41-21:47. It'll rise from the West and be nearly overhead at 21:44.
Later tonight it can be seen from 23:17 - 23:21 heading from the West to the SE. It'll be at a maximum 85 degree angle at 23:20.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
Thanks for that Phil.
Watched it for the last two nights.
The neighbours thought i was pulling their legs until they saw it and a total of 15 people were in their back gardens to see it tonight, very clear and very quick.
Ian..
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
It was a good pass, wasn't it. Watch out again at 23:40, rising from the west again for a three minute pass and disappearing to the south.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
Nice photo Phil.
We all sat in the gardens tonight Like Space cadets and UFO geeks. Once again a very good pass.
How come your photos have a trail? we never saw one.
How long will this continue?
Ian...
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Well as you say the station doesn't leave a streak Ian, it's just an artifact of a moving bright light against a 60 second exposure. If one was to take a 'normal' photo the station would appear as a point of light much like any star. I've tried but it really doesn't work. I've seen some amazing photos out there by people who have hooked their cameras up to telescopes and even managed to photograph the solar panels! Alas, no such chance with my £200 camera.
I don't think the station will be visible for much longer, but I'm not sure as it seems to return to our skies every few weeks. I'll have to do some research, but for now you can see it here:
20 Jul 22:33:00
21 Jul 21:21:55
21 Jul 22:58:26
22 Jul 21:46:24
23 Jul 22:11:52
25 Jul 21:25:16
It will always rise to the west.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
very cleaver stuff there phil.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Not cheap either, I bet.
It does seem amazing to be able to take such shots from the ground - thanks Phil.
Roger
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
If anyone would like to see the International Space Station, it is visible tonight and twice tomorrow. Here are the times:
Wed May 05 - 10:36 PM 3 MINS VHIGH From the W
Thu May 06 - 09:26 PM 4 VHIGH From the WSW
Thu May 06 - 11:01 PM 2 MINS HIGH From the W
If anyone brings politics into this thread they will receive a custard pie in the face.
Vote Klingon!
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
As Mlissa recently put a thread up about orange lights, I thought of using this thread, Phil, if you don't mind, of-course, to note that last Friday at two minutes to nine pm I walked into the kithchen and saw through the window an orange light such as Melissa had described. I saw it for about thirty seconds until it was on the other side of the house. I tried to follow up from the opposite window, but could not trace its wherabouts. It was flying low. I reckon it might be a lantern of sorts covered by a light synthetic material, light enough to float, but strong enough not to catch fire or disintegrate due to the heat of the lantern. The lantern would heat the air within the material, causing it to rise and float. This would imply Tomfoolery from a Chinese man, would it not?
I think I see a chink in Alexander's reasoning!
