ISS Viewings Are Gettting Brighter
With a low pressure system sitting over the southeast it has been difficult to view the ISS (International Space Station) over the last few good viewing chances. Tonight there will be another good chance to see the ISS as it passes overhead around 18:55 [CT] with the viewing possible for about 10 minutes from 18:50 to 19:00. The chance to see the ISS tonight looks to be slim due to the overcast sky we have had but it is viewable in other parts of the country. The data release is below.
One thing of note I read about the ISS is that the sightings seem to be getting brighter. The last time we were able to view the pass here in the south it was just about the brightest object in the sky that night and very easy to spot. The reason seems to be simple. The ISS is getting larger. On the last Space Shuttle mission NASA delivered its payload of solar arrays which, when extended, are 256 feet long, and they have also added 35,000 pounds of truss and the October launch is scheduled to add another 31,000 pound module called Harmony.
Special Note: The image above was taken by Brian Emfinger of Ozark, Arkansas. He recorded the passage using his Canon Digital Rebel XT. Photo details: Canon Digital Rebel XT, fisheye lens, ISO 1600, 310 sec.
If it dark enough and weather permitting there should be an opportunity to see the
International Space Station as it passes over the Eufaula (and Auburn-Opelika) area
Thursday, Oct. 4, from 6:50 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The space station should be
almost directly overhead at 6:55 p.m.It will “rise” in the southwest and “set” in the northeast. It will look
like a bright star that is moving across the sky. It is a little brighter
that Venus. It will be white with maybe a slight gold tint depending on how
the sunlight is reflecting from it. (NOTE - If it seems to be blinking it is
an aircraft, not the space station.)
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