Sunday, June 8, 2014

Observing Alert – Space Station ‘Marathon’ Starts This Week

Observing Alert – Space Station ‘Marathon’ Starts This Week:

Time exposure showing the International Space Station making a bright pass across the northern sky. Credit: Bob King

Time exposure showing the International Space Station (ISS) making a bright pass across the northern sky. Beginning later this week, it will be in continuous sunlight and visible on every pass during the night. Credit: Bob King
What’s your favorite satellite? For me it’s the space station. Not only is it the brightest spacecraft in the sky, but it’s regularly visible from so many places. It’s also unique. Most satellites are either spent rocket stages or unmanned science and surveillance probes. The ISS is inhabited by a crew of astronauts. Real people.

Every time I see that bright, moving light I think of the crew floating about the cabin with their microgravity hair, performing experiments and pondering the meaning of it all while gazing out the cupola windows at the rolling blue Earth below. Starting Friday, the station will make up to 5 flybys a night from dusk till dawn. Marathon anyone?(...)


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