Print Page - ISS multiple passes

Title: ISS multiple passes - July 6,7,8
Post by: MarkS on Jul 02, 2009, 08:35:50

We have just entered a very rich ISS season peaking on 7 July.

Sun 5 July - 3 consecutive visible passes beginning 2 minutes after midnight
Mon 6 July - 4 consecutive visible passes beginning at 23:13 BST
Tue 7 July - 5 (!!) consecutive visible passes beginning at 22:04 BST
Wed 8 July - 4 consecutive visible passes beginning at 22:28 BST
Thur 9 July - 3 consecutive visible passes beginning at 22:52 BST

Mark

Title: Re: ISS multiple passes - July 6,7,8
Post by: Mike on Jul 02, 2009, 09:13:41

Wow!! Look forward to plenty of images from you then !

Title: Re: ISS multiple passes - July 6,7,8
Post by: JohnP on Jul 02, 2009, 11:38:28

How the hell does it manage 5 passes in one night...? Is it flying in a circle over Bromley or something???

Title: Re: ISS multiple passes - July 6,7,8
Post by: Rick on Jul 02, 2009, 12:45:20

One orbit every 95 minutes or so, but we're nicely placed^*1 at the latitude where passes are close to west-east, so several consecutive passes come near enough to be seen. Then add in the current near-midsummer tilt, and add ISS's altitude, and the geometry's good for ISS to be illuminated on every one. Add in that ISS is now bright enough to see in daylight...

^*1 If you live near the equator then you get far fewer opportunities to catch visible passes of ISS. Much further North than the UK and you'll never see it.

Title: Re: ISS multiple passes - July 6,7,8
Post by: mickw on Jul 02, 2009, 12:48:31

Bit more info

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/090630-space-station-spotting.html (http://www.space.com/spacewatch/090630-space-station-spotting.html)

Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Alerts! Questions? Discussions... => Topic started by: MarkS on Jul 02, 2009, 08:35:50