Solar transits by the Space Shuttle - last chance!

[lukebl]

Hey all,

The Space Shuttle Endeavour, on its last mission, makes a series of solar transits over the next few days, visible from the UK. You'll have to be quick. The transits last less than a second and the shuttle will only be about 40" across. Worth an imaging attempt, though. OBVIOUSLY, take all precautions to avoid damage to your eyes.

Here's three for Thursday 18th and Friday 19th May (data from Calsky). You have to be pretty close to the centre line to be able to see the transit.

Thursday 19th May 10:32:30 BST starting near Milford Haven

Friday 20th May, 10:55:50 BST starting near Dublin

Friday 20th May, 12:30:50 BST starting near Caernarvon

The shuttle takes around 60 seconds to cross the UK. Each marker on these maps represents 10 seconds.

[Helen]

Ooh, thanks for this Luke. I could be at the centre line in 45 mins or so, and the forecast for tomorrow is good, so might just give it a go!!

Helen

[AndyDix]

Passing right over my head in Saundersfoot

[lukebl]

Whoops. Sorry. According to Calsky, the shuttle is actually only 1.2" across. Bit of a challenge! However, the ISS transits usually about 25 seconds behind the shuttle, so you should be able to catch that too (about 50" across).

[Tim]

Ooooooooh! I really hope some of you can grab this, what an opportunity!!!

Give Thierry Legault a run for his money

[Helen]

Sat in a lay-by under cloud :-( not looking at all good :-(

And its cold

Helen

[Helen]

Sat in a lay-by under cloud :-( not looking at all good :-(

And its cold

Helen

[Mark at Beaufort]

Not sure what happened but it appeared from the map that the Shuttle would come over Hereford. Clear skies, frac and camera ready - but no show

Mark

[Helen]

It briefly cleared......... at 10:33..... The transit was 10:32!!! Ho hum

Off to find a roadside van for a cup of tea :-/

But weather permitting I'll try again next week!!

Helen

[JB80]

So if I am reading calsky right which I am not sure I am on sunday for me there are two transits(of the iss) which say '3km from selected site'. How much give is in that? The shuttle data says different though, are they not docked?

It also says a transit time of 1.00s and .37s so that would be just a glimpse.

[Viv]

Thanks for that.

Friday could be worth a go from Coventry.

[lukebl]

...It also says a transit time of 1.00s and .37s so that would be just a glimpse.

You'll only get a glmpse at the best of times (I think the max transit time is only just over a second), so you need to catch a movie of it or hit the moment perfectly, as Astrokev managed so well.

[JB80]

I guess it's a matter of blink and you will miss it. I think I'd be happy just to see it first.

I did come across Kev's great pictures too

[Dave]

There's one tomorrow and one Saturday morning from my location.

I was inspired by Kev's brilliant image and have already had a test run on the Sun tonight and all ready to give it a bash.

I'm not even going to mention the C word...Ooops!!

Dave