Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => In the Media... => Topic started by: MarkS on Aug 28, 2009, 15:24:09

Title: Naked Eye Astronomy
Post by: MarkS on Aug 28, 2009, 15:24:09

Galileo first turned his telescope to the skies 400 years ago. But even those without fancy equipment can watch the stars - here are five notable formations to look for.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8224433.stm
Title: Re: Naked Eye Astronomy
Post by: Daniel on Aug 29, 2009, 14:53:27
Speaking of naked eye astronomy, I saw the most wonderfull sight last night while packing up the scope, 2 very bright objects moving across the sky at the same pace, about the brightness of venus, they were difflierent colours, actually looked just like Alberio with it's companion star, one was bright blue, the other bright orange.

A look on the net showed it was the space shuttle and the external fuel tank shortly after seperation, this was my first definite confirmed sighting of the space shuttle, something I won't forget in a hurry, it was easliy as visible as the ISS on most nights.

Daniel
:O)
Title: Re: Naked Eye Astronomy
Post by: MarkS on Aug 29, 2009, 15:07:13

Nice one! Wish I'd seen it.

Mark
Title: Re: Naked Eye Astronomy
Post by: Fay on Aug 29, 2009, 17:19:24
How lucky you were Daniel............
Title: Re: Naked Eye Astronomy
Post by: mickw on Aug 29, 2009, 20:17:12
Mark........................................
Why didn't you get a picture ?

Is your "lucky camera" broken  ?

;)
Title: Re: Naked Eye Astronomy
Post by: Rick on Aug 29, 2009, 20:34:02
Catching ISS the Shuttle on its first orbit is tricky. Very unusual to see it and its tank. ISS should have been visible overhead about 03:21 UTC as well. There's another visible ISS pass at 03:45 UTC early tomorrow.

(Edit: s/ISS/the Shuttle/)  :oops:
Title: Re: Naked Eye Astronomy
Post by: MarkS on Aug 29, 2009, 22:02:25

Rick,

I think you mean the Space Shuttle - not the ISS  ;)

Mark
Title: Re: Naked Eye Astronomy
Post by: Rick on Aug 29, 2009, 22:15:00
I think you're right... I'll fix it!