* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

Satellite observing

Blobrana · L

ISS / Shuttle Solar Transit

This video shows the International Space Station docked with the Space Shuttle while they pass between the sun and my viewing location in my back yard.

Blobrana · L

Sun's position means better satellite viewing in Florida

Low-Earth orbit satellites cannot get too far past the edge of night before they too enter the Earth's shadow. But at this time of year satellites in the north can be seen even until almost midnight.
Tonight at 11:31, an Atlas 5 Centaur rocket body will rise just a little west of true north, moving up and to the left.
It passes under Polaris, the North Star, heading for the constellation Cepheus, the King. Cepheus lies between Cassiopeia, the Queen, and Draco, the Dragon.
Read more

Blobrana · L

Enjoy scanning for satellites

You do not need binoculars or a telescope to see the brightest artificial satellites, since they appear as relatively bright starlike objects moving across the sky.
Man-made satellites shine by reflected sunlight, and usually can be seen for a few hours after sunset and a few hours before sunrise. Once the satellites pass into the shadow of the Earth, they disappear from view since they do not shine by their own light.
Read more