Another
shot to see the ISS
By
Will Collette
The
International Space Station (ISS), one of the few remaining examples of
international cooperation and joint scientific exploration is a frequent
visitor to Charlestown’s night-time sky.
Its
passage overhead is smooth, quiet and, in its way, majestic. Comforting in a
way to see that by working together, we can do good things.
Anyway,
you can form your own impressions. From time to time, the ISS overflights
come in clusters, allowing you several chances to see it on consecutive days. We had one last night which I didn't post because of the weather forecast.
After sunset at 4:59 PM, the ISS will appear for a 6-minute pass at 10 degrees about the northwest horizon. It will arc up to 71 degrees above us as it heads east northeast where it will disappear at 12 degrees above the horizon.
After sunset at 4:59 PM, the ISS will appear for a 6-minute pass at 10 degrees about the northwest horizon. It will arc up to 71 degrees above us as it heads east northeast where it will disappear at 12 degrees above the horizon.
Celestial mechanics makes the ISS strictly follow these
specifications.
The National Weather Service says tonight’s weather will be mostly clear.
Six minutes is the maximum time for an overflight. The station relies on reflected light from sunset (or sunrise) to make it visible to us on the ground and six minutes is roughly how long it takes for the ISS to go from one end of the sky to the other.
Here's the message I received from NASA this morning, courtesy of
their "Spot The Station" e-mail listserve:
