Shuttle/ISS visible after undocking tonight, much of US

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

The Shuttle is scheduled to undock from the ISS shortly after 5PM EST tonight. Beginning less than an hour later the next three orbits across the US should provide an opportunity to see them very near each other. Having seen such an event once (on a Spirit of Norfolk company Christmas party cruise in VA) I assure you it's a sight not to be missed. Roughly, the first orbit, less than 1 hour after undocking is visible in the eastern US from Northern Florida to Maine. Along the Gulf coast from Alabama westward it's still too light out, the same for St Louis. However this pass is visible as far NW as Minneapolis including Chicago. It appears the orbit is overhead near Louisville and Cincinatti. The approximate time is 5:57 to 6:04 EST (4:57 to 5:04 CST). For exact times and directions for your location go to Heavens-Above . Then edit location, you can select from the database, since unlike Iridium Flares, the precise location is not critical. Then click on the ISS predictions. Since the shuttle should still be very nearby, that is sufficient. Also on that page you can get an accurate time check, which is important, since if your watch is off by 5 minutes, you could miss the whole thing, or be facing the wrong direction at the wrong time! THe ISS will be between mag +1 and -1, the shuttle a bit dimmer, but trust me, you'll have no trouble seeing them. The next orbit is around 6:33-6:35 CST and is visible in Minneapolis (a double for Calli <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> ) Denver, St Louis, Fargo and Green Bay. This is about 2 1/2 hours after undocking The final orbit is visible at least in Portland Oregon, Northern California, etc. About 4 hours after undocking. I haven'y had as much time to define the edges of the zone of visibility for these orbits, so you can c <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

lacuna · Dec 19, 2006

Thank you for this post =] I've been looking for it for an hour now after someone mentioned it in the EVA operations thread. I do have a question though. You said that the first pass will be visible from North Florida to Maine. I'm in Orlando so that means a slim to none chance of seeing it or should I give it a try?

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

Yes, southern florida they will be very low on the horizon, but if it's clear, give it a shot. It's a pretty rare event to see them so close. S_G do you know what the separation will be +1:00, +2:30, and +4:00 after undocking? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

mithridates · Dec 19, 2006

What magnitude is the station eventually expected to reach after construction is finished? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ----- http://mithridates.blogspot.com </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

Hard to say exactly. Based on my recent observations, I'd guess Mag -1 or even -2 for an overhead pass. However once the new arrays begin turning to follow the sun, I'm sure it will be more angle dependent. Then I would suspect it will be brighter when opposite the sun (i.e. in the east for an evening pass, in the west for a morning pass.) Last's night's combined Shuttle ISS was at least mag -2, observed through thin cirrus clouds at an elevation of about 50 degrees max. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

One hour to undock, all on schedule. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

ldyaidan · Dec 19, 2006

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I'll get off work on time and can try to spot it. Rae

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

Where are you, maybe I can help with exact timing? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

- 2:00 weather (cloud) update for first (east) orbit. Somewhat iffy for NY state and new england. Patchy clouds are moving southeast. If you're lucky, you're in a hole, if not, well, not so lucky. From central NJ thru SE VA, WV and central and northern Ohio, looks good. From Indy thru central Tenessee, what appear to be thin cirrus clouds. The combo should be at leat glimpseable through these layers. I hope they're thin enough. Below that, not so good. Looks OK for most of NC southwestward to Alabama, looks great. For the second orbit, looks lousy from Kansas south, great above that. Western KS is a maybe. weather wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

ldyaidan · Dec 19, 2006

I'm in Oklahoma City. Says we should be able to see it tonight about 6:30. But, we have really crappy weather, so I think we'll be blocked. Should have another chance on Friday, but it's about 15 minutes before I get to escape from work. Just my luck. It gets cloudy here every time there's a meteor shower too... sigh Rae

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

I know the feeling Oklahoma looks awful. By the way, I've been examining how far away they will be from each other, and with the naked eye, it may be impossible to separate the two objects on the first orbit. Binoculars MAY help, so I would suggest, if you get 'em, bring 'em. Possibly as they head into eclipse, you may see a stepped brightness change depending on the exact orientation at the time. Only way to tell is to look! [astro hat on} Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

-1:00 weather update. Really no cahnge from the -2 hour. Looks like Indy will be right on the edge of cloudiness, a bit better for NJ northeast through New England as daytime convective clouds decrease. Please remember to bring binoculars, as you may not be able to separate the two objects naked eye, even with binocs it may be difficult. They have undocked, so the dies is cast! MW <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

I don't know what path the fly around is relative to the orbital motion. If anyone does <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

650 feet above and behind. Time to go outside <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

Wow, very bright, distictly golden colored. By eye, I could not separate the two, but with binoculars (7x35) I was easily able to separate the Shuttle and the ISS. It became easier later in the pass, when the Shuttle (behind) became almost as bright as the ISS. Before that it was much dimmer. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

Swampcat · Dec 19, 2006

I guess I missed it. I saw something going across the sky that was rather bright and then disappeared as it headed northeast, but there were a lot of aircraft as I am right under the approach to ORF (Norfolk International Airport). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

Maybe you did see it. Most aircraft, when at a flight level to be that bright, would only be on approach or departure. If so they would have had the green/white/red flashers on, so would not likely look the same as the constant light from the shuttle/ISS. I suppose it depends on how far you are out from ORF. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

ldyaidan · Dec 19, 2006

From where I am now, I can barely see out my office window to the farside of the parking lot, because of the haze/mist. So, I think seeing the ISS/Discovery will be out of the question. Wave to them for me! Rae

Swampcat · Dec 19, 2006

I'm less than 5 miles from ORF. There were no flashing lights which makes me think it was the Orbiter/ISS. It just seemed to be higher in the sky than I was expecting from the Heavens Above website. I've seen the ISS go overhead before and it blinked out then. IIRC, the reason then was that the ISS went into the Earth's shadow. Is it possible that happened here as well? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

lacuna · Dec 19, 2006

Well I tried. I climbed up on top of my roof to get a better view of the horizon.. and I looked and looked from 5:55 til 6:10 .. (didnt realize it was 6:10 haha) Hopefully I'll get a chance to see the ISS in the future.

Swampcat · Dec 19, 2006

Then it was probably just an airplane. The light I saw was white and I do recall the last time I saw the ISS it was like you said. It didn't just blink out. It sort of faded away. I'm disappointed. The sky was cloudy all day and had just cleared. Oh well...better luck next time <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 19, 2006

Yes it went into eclipse, probably 20 degrees above the horizon for you...let me check Ok for ORF, max altitude 25 degrees in the NNW, into eclipse 17 degrees above the NNE horizon. So that sounds about right? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

Swampcat · Dec 19, 2006

I just checked Heavens Above again as well. The light went out at about the right place, but I think it was a little too high in the sky and coming more from the zenith than along the horizon. And like I said, I didn't see it as being yellowish at all. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

larper · Dec 19, 2006

EXTREMELY nice pass over Denver minutes ago. Directly overhead and extremely bright. The leader (ISS I believe) flared momentarily. Actually the trailer was initially brighter, but the shuttle always departs retrograde, right? If so, the leader should have been ISS. All depends on the incidence angles. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Vote Libertarian </div>

jschaef5 · Dec 19, 2006

Just saw them here in Wisconsin; I saw 2 dots flying together over the western horizon. The trailing one was a nice orange color and the leading was whitish. They were separated by a good inch or 2 at arms length. Which one was the orange dot and which was the white? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Shuttle/ISS visible after undocking tonight, much of US

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