Posted by Brent Murphy on March 16, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Depending on cloud cover, we should have a good view of a double-flyby of the space shuttle and the ISS tonight. I've watched before, and it's a pretty amazing sight. According to heavens-above.com, in Denver the show will be from about 8:16PM to 8:23PM. They will first appear at the western horizon, and fly toward the northeast, before passing into the earth's shadow.
I'm not sure if it's a great photographic opportunity, but definitely cool to watch.
Yeah, I've seen it before too (because Brent told me about it ) It might just be two points of light in the sky, but when you think about what it really is, it's really cool to see! Thanks for the heads up Mr. Murphy!
Thanks for the notice! I was going to be out and about in the Bisti area at that time, and the skies are clear forever here today.
Posted by Brent Murphy on March 16, 2009 at 2:43 PM
I should point out that you may be able to see the ISS every night for the at least the next week or so, but tonight will be the brightest, and tonight will be the only night to see the ISS and shuttle flying alongside each other. By tomorrow night, they should be docked.
For the next good view, once they're docked, watch about the same flight path at about 7:35PM on Wednesday.
Thanks for the heads-up on this one. Was able to drag the family outside to watch it race overhead. Sure was moving fast!
Posted by Brent Murphy on March 16, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Huh. That was weird. Spaceweather.com lied to me. They said it would be a double flyby. But now that I actually checked the times for each of them, the ISS was right on time, but the shuttle isn't supposed to fly over until 8:41 tonight. Doesn't really count as a double flyby in my book. In the past, I've seen them zip by right next to each other.
I kinda wondered about that. I remember that one from last year, it was quite obvious there were two distinct specks. Oh well, I'll go out again in a few.
Posted by Brent Murphy on March 16, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Well, I didn't see the shuttle pass. Oh well. According to that site, though, we should get pretty bright passes of the ISS, the shuttle, or both, in the next couple days.
Posted by Jack Garrett on March 17, 2009 at 1:14 AM
I saw it! I saw it! Thanks for the heads up, it was neat.
Jack
Posted by Brent Murphy on March 17, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Discussion
12 repliesI'm not sure if it's a great photographic opportunity, but definitely cool to watch.
For the next good view, once they're docked, watch about the same flight path at about 7:35PM on Wednesday.
Crazy how fast that is going...
Love how it just fades away once it reaches the NE. Wild!
Thanks for the heads-up on this one. Was able to drag the family outside to watch it race overhead. Sure was moving fast!
Jack
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17mar_bigconstruction.htm?list1115104