Clear Sky Space Station

Don't forget to check for Iridium Flares too. All the ones for me, in the next few days, are around 2am :(

Iridium flares can be much brighter than ISS (ISS max is -5, Iridium flares -8 or -9). They last for a much shorter period of time (ISS can often be seen tracking right across the sky, Iridium flares are over in a few seconds), so you need:

Good understanding of where it the sky it will appear

Accurately set watch

Paying attention at the appointed time, preferably with several pairs of eyes as it isn't always exactly where you are expecting.

 

Thank you Kristen,
Jenny

 

"Clear Skies" to you

 

Time: Fri Apr 12 9:43 PM, Visible: 4 min, Max Height: 79 degrees, Appears: W, Disappears: ENE
Wunderground shows a clear sky tonight - fingers crossed,
Jenny

 

I signed up for the alerts Jenny, hope we get a clear slot tonight.

 

-3.5 brightness, which is easy to see (unless you have lots of light pollution). Travelling from West to East pretty high up in the sky. You should also be able to see Jupiter a bit low down slightly North of due West - it will be the brightest object in the sky (until IIS shows up!) and won't be twinkling like the stars. If you have some binoculars you should be able to see 4 moons around Jupiter (provided none of them are behind, or in front, of Jupiter at that time)

If you haven't seen IIS before it moves at a stead pace across the sky. Hard to describe, but it looks subtly different to an aeroplane moving across the sky, and no flashing Red light on the tail/wings of course; it looks like a point-source of light. It will suddenly "go out" when it gets 2/3rds of the way across the sky as that is the point it will move into the earth's shadow

Make sure you are outside ontime (i.e. your watch is accurately set); it takes about 5 minutes to cross the sky - but only 2 minutes across the higher part of the sky that you can easily see, so its not as hard to spot as an Iridium flare that can be over in 30 seconds, but it helps if your watch is spot-on so you know when to be looking up

 

Wed May 29 3:40 AM, Visible: 6 min, Max Height: 75 degrees, Appears: W, Disappears: E

 

I'll set my alarm Jenny

 

You seen an Iridium Flare yet Jenny? Look out for one with -6 to -8 brightness. You'll notice that on a cloudless night for sure

 

I suppose they occur randomely - in no specific part of the sky or time?
Jenny

 

They do, but if you put your location in on the Heavens Above site it will tell you when & where to look "up" and how bright they will be:

http://www.heavens-above.com/IridiumFlares.aspx

 

Thanks for that Kristen,
Jenny

 

Just watched it go over. 4 minutes - a lovely long view. Very clear and very shiny,

 

Brilliant Jenny... Too cloudy up here ....

 

This is a daft question I'm sure? Are these visible to the naked eye? Or you using a telescope? I'm intrigued by this and want to look. Thanks...