The ISS Tie Fighter
I know there have been several posts about the ISS lately, but there seems to be a lot of information and sightings going on right now. I found this image really interesting as it shows the actual shape of the station in orbit. Here in the southeast we have had some cloud cover over the last week or so and the viewings have been few and far between, but if you can take the time to view the ISS it is very interesting to see it with your own eyes.
Lately, observers have been saying the International Space Station reminds them of a Tie Fighter. Here’s why:
Amateur astronomer Chris Todd of Ocean, New Jersey, took the picture Oct. 6th through his hand-guided 8-inch Meade LX90. “It was an amazing space station flyover!” he says.
The “wings” in Todd’s picture are the station’s copper-colored solar arrays, one of them newly unfurled giving the station a symmetrical fighter-like outline. Truly, however, there is no comparison: While a cramped Star Wars TIE Fighter could barely hold one Darth Vader, the International Space Station is large enough to house 3+ astronauts with room to spare for a science lab, a kitchen, a miniature gymnasium and more. It all adds up to a 480,000-lb spaceship as bright as the planet Venus.
Later this month space shuttle Discovery will join ISS in Earth orbit. For one or two nights, as the shuttle prepares to dock with the larger space station, it will be possible to see and photograph the spacecraft side-by-side. When should you look? Check http://heavens-above.com. For one or two nights, as the shuttle prepares to dock with the larger space station, it will be possible to see and photograph the spacecraft side-by-side. When should you look? Check Heavens Above for flyby timetables or sign up for SpaceWeather PHONE to receive can’t-miss alerts by phone and email.
Thanks to KI4NGX for passing this information on to me.
Popularity: 73% [?]