ISS

[mcro89]

Anyone viewing the ISS tonight?

I just saw it do its first pass of the night a min ago. It was the only light in the sky apart from Arcturus.

First time i have seen it (with knowing what i was looking at).

Mcro89

[John]

I caught the end of that pass. Very bright !. A bit brighter still on it's next pass I see from the Heavens Above web site.

[The Sailor]

Just turned on Stellarium and realised it would be showing in a minute or so, grabbed SWMBO and headed for the window and there she was, heading east and nice and bright. Followed it all the way to the horizon, as normal, lovely to see

Jim

[Dave Smith]

Just seen it for the second time this evening, but no sign of the cargo vessel.

Both were clear last night.

Dave

[Stargazer Jack]

Just saw both with the progress craft leading by around 5 minutes

[mcro89]

Just got back from seeing it the second time, managed to get a photo will post it in a min once i have uploaded it

[mcro89]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48623423@N08/5647665616/

ISS over Ursa Major at 21:16 on 23/04/11

[Thell]

I seen this for the first time tonight! Was just setting up and there it was overhead. I was surprised at how bright it was, and how fast it moved across the sky!

[stolenfeather]

Congrats on seeing it Mcro89!

How do you use Stellarium to find the ISS Jim? I have always tried to see it but,..

Isabelle

[Madhatter]

Ctr + Z will show you the ISS and other satellites on stellariam:) there is also a button too press on the bottom icon bar. then you can play around with the timer and see exactly when and where the ISS will pass.

[stolenfeather]

I'll try that Manhatter! Thanks!

Isabelle

[stolenfeather]

Can't see the button on the bottom icon bar though,.. I see constellations, constellation art,..

[The Sailor]

Isabelle, as Madhatter says, make sure you have the Satellite plugin active, the ISS is white and also has the name Zarya. Where the date and time is, underneath is some arrows, you can use these to put Stellarium in fast mode forwards or backwards, not too fast, and it will show you what orbit the ISS will be on, hope that helps and you get to see it.

Jim

[Madhatter]

Its the 6th icon in from the right hand side, when you move your mouse over the icon it should say "satellite hints" once you click this it will show you all satellites and thier trajectory.

I find it interesting too google the satellites and find out what there purpose , id love to spot one that doesent come up on stellariam, could only imagine who owns it or what its doing lol:)

[stolenfeather]

The 6th icon says ground. There is none that say satellite hints and I just downloaded the new Stellarium a couple of weeks ago.

[Madhatter]

I think your looking on the left hand side, right bar though, try tho other side of that bottom bar and you will see it:).

[stolenfeather]

Oh my,.. there it is! I had to make the plugin active and download the recent schedules. It seems that you have to do this every 14 days. Thank you all for your help!

Isabelle

[Madhatter]

Your welcome Isabelle, its amazing how many visable satillites pass over when using this program too track them:)

[The Sailor]

Isabelle, I am sure you can make that an automatic download as soon as you open Stellarium, mine does anyway. If you go into Satellites Configuration click the Internet Update box and bring the level down to 1 hour, hope that helps.

Jim

[stolenfeather]

Thanks Jim,.. will do! That will be extremely helpful.

I have to agree with Manhatter, once it was on, I was surprised how many satellites were seen at the same time!

Isabelle

[The Sailor]

Yes, is good, the one thing I don't have on there is their orbits, tends to clutter the screen. Now with them on there you can fast forward and see when and where the ISS will be and it it is possible for you to view it

Jim

[stolenfeather]

Once again Jim,.. Thank you very much for all of your help with this.

Isabelle

[Madhatter]

Its a shame it dosent show orbit hight but for a free program that's understandable:) (although if your reading stellariam creators...!!)

Probably obviouse but i noticed that the satellites that move across the screen quickly are the ones you can see, the slow moving ones must be further away and much harder too spot.

[The Sailor]

Not sure about the seeing as such Madhatter, only time I see any satellites is when I am looking through the scope, mainly the finder. Very rare that I see any other than ISS just gazing skywards, and speaking of the ISS, hope to see it at about 2105 hrs here, so best get may skates on and get out there

Jim

[Madhatter]

honestly Jim its really supprizing. have you looked for the fast moving sats on stellariam and predicted their trajectory? i saw the first 3 fast moving satellites i saw on stellariam with the naked eye.