iss

[leader of the starry skys]

hi on stellerium you can track some satellites ,can you track the space station if so what do you type in search box , I tried iss and international space station and space station , but none of these are showing , is there a proper name or number to type in , tried nasa but there web sites closed

[kerrylewis]

Not sure about Stellarium, but try the Heavens Above website. You just enter your location to get details of visible satellites including the ISS.

If you have a smartphone or tablet there are also a few apps which will do a similar job

Kerry 

[Cornelius Varley]

Heavens-above http://heavens-above.com produces a list of visible sightings for the ISS and satellites. Select your location from the database and a table is generated plus star charts to show the path across the sky.

[glowjet]

Hi, Iss and welcome to SGL

[blacky]

Welcome to SGL

Laura

[Pig]

Hello & welcome

Shaun

[lars1967]

Hello from Lars

[m37]

Hi and welcome. There are a number of plugins for Stellarium. There is one for comets, one for exoplanets etc. There is also a satellite plugin which I believe contains the ISS. Not used it in anger yet but the comets plugin is great.

Have a read here... http://www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Satellites_plugin

cheers

[leader of the starry skys]

had a quick look thanks for that, I shall have a proper look later when ive got more time,

[andyman]

Welcome to sgl 

[ronl]

Hi and welcome to the lounge

Good Luck and Clear Sky's

[astroeddie]

The official name of the ISS is Zarya. Named after the first module launched in 2000.

Unmistakable when you see it pass.

[Jake Bullit]

If you have a smart phone you can get alerts for passes and Iridium flares .

I use ISS Detector on Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runar.issdetector&hl=en_GB

[leader of the starry skys]

done the heavens-above.com site found it really clear to understand , I shall even know when the iridium flares happen , not sure if ive ever seen one before , I might have without realising , but I shall be able to compare now , don't have iphone or anything like that to do apps, I still live in dark ages ,I don't have tv my mobile just does phone calls , even me computer is new to me, but thanks for all the info ,

[Steve Ward]

Type in    ISS (Zarya) to the search box .... don't forget the space between ISS and (Zarya)

[summerstars]

Hey! I use the NASA app to locate the ISS. Have yet to catch it on my scope though, it's always too quick for me. x

[bingevader]

Hello and welcome to SGL.

I've never tried tracking the ISS with Stellarium, but the other day, whilst using Stellarium, the ISS passed across the monitor screen whilst I was planning the night's observing, so you must be able to!

As m37 has said, check the plugins.

Cheers

[sologuitarist61]

Hello and welcome to SGL

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[Bizibilder]

Hello and welcome to SGL!!

[Kal]

I'll try to explain this best I can...

Start up Stellarium, Press F2 to display the Configuation window.

In this window click the "Plug-ins" tab on the far right, in the list that is displayed on the left of the window click "Satellites". in the bottom of the window there should be an "Options" section, tick the box that says "Load at startup".

That should make the satellites (including the ISS) load next time you start Stellarium, so close the program and start it up again.

Now along the bottom near the time speed controls there should be a button that looks like a satellite called "Satellite Hints" or just press shortcut CTRL + Z.

Now that this part is active you should be able to press Find (F3) and type "ISS" and hit enter.

Of course as I say this the ISS is actually passing over us, good timing!

That should work and if you're lucky enough to spot it you might even grab a picture!

Here's a link to a composite image I made to show my friends Saturn and ISS that I took in the same evening.

[leader of the starry skys]

nice one cheers, I shall put it on stellerium and use heavens-above , thanks everyone for your help

[todd8137]

Hi and welcome from me

Pat

[leader of the starry skys]

yep tried them both out tonite  at 20.06 it showed right on time , happy man , cant wait to try the iridium ones now