Spot the Spacecraft

[Space Ranger]

I think you'll agree it's not hard to do.

First image is an intended capture of the ISS from tonight......

Second image shows a satellite passing right through past the Pole Star (anyone know if this is a common occurrence?)......

...an unintended capture during a star trails shoot from my back garden (I think I need to try a lower ISO next time as there are rather a lot of stars!)

[tingting44]

wow, indeed you have captured loads of photons for your star trail! whats the exif on that shot? ive never seen a satellite passing right through polaris like that, Caithness im guessing is a nice dark city? id love to live some where with hardly any light pollution

[Space Ranger]

wow, indeed you have captured loads of photons for your star trail! whats the exif on that shot? ive never seen a satellite passing right through polaris like that, Caithness im guessing is a nice dark city? id love to live some where with hardly any light pollution

The star trails were from just over 30 mins worth of 30 sec exposures (f3.5; 16mm FL; ISO3200). It should have been longer but passing clouds and the camera battery running out limited what I could use.

I live in Thurso, a small town on the north coast of the county of Caithness (northern end of the UK). Although I live in the town my back garden is pretty dark (except when the nearby football pitch has its floodlights on ). Luckily I don't have to travel far to get to a variety of locations where the SQM reading is >21.5 & the local Astronomy Group  conveniently has its events at a nearby Dark Sky Discovery Site. It's a long way to travel from Southampton, but if you ever make a trip to the Highlands of Scotland outwith the summer months then remember to take some observing gear with you - you won't be disappointed (unless it's cloudy of course ).

[tingting44]

nice lens! that 16mm cant be cheap? id loveee some decent glass, ive only got kit lenses for my 7d are on the check list and have been for a year or so all ready lol 

ahh nice! ive seen a few people from Caithness on here, i all ways thought it was abroad, id love to go to the highlands for the week, my mate went last year for a week and got some lovely data, here is one of his timelapses...the milky way one is real nice

http://vimeo.com/user12097622

[Space Ranger]

nice lens! that 16mm cant be cheap? id loveee some decent glass, ive only got kit lenses for my 7d are on the check list and have been for a year or so all ready lol 

ahh nice! ive seen a few people from Caithness on here, i all ways thought it was abroad, id love to go to the highlands for the week, my mate went last year for a week and got some lovely data, here is one of his timelapses...the milky way one is real nice

http://vimeo.com/user12097622

Fab timelapses. Wish I had the time, patience (& ability ) to do ones that good.