Viewing ISS? ...How?

[JohnJ]

So my first scope is being delivered on Monday and I'm getting excited about what to view. My questions are;

- is my setup capable of viewing the ISS?

- how difficult is to to locate/track?

- is it a seasonal type thing? Or is it 'up there' each night?

Obviously I will need practice first and plan on lots of lunar stuff to get me used to things.

Any help would be great.

[John]

I find it best to use my eyes or binoculars - it moves too fast to be tracked with a scope.

The "Heavens Above" website gives the visability times - you can't miss it !:

Heavens-Above Home Page

[Psychobilly]

It moves to fast to be tracked with most of the cheaper mounts...

My CPC800 can track it using Sattracker software but its frightening how fast it moves around closest approach... you definitely have to do a couple of test runs in advance with you hand hovering over the stop button... and make sure the cable managment is well sorted...

You also need to make sure that you have the latest possible TLE's and that the computers clock is well synched...

People get good results with dobs or using the OTA of the mount ...

Dragged out the old thread...

http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-widefield-special-events-comets/87594-my-2nd-attempt-capturing-iss.html

Billy...