FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: ISS and Hubble passes

[gene lucas <geneluca@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Another good resource for satellite tracking is the FREEware program 
STSPlus from Dr. David Ransom, a retired math expert who resides in 
Sedona.  Dr. Ransom wrote this software when he worked for NASA, and it 
was used in the NASA command centers.  I have used this for demos at the 
Arizona Science Center for some years to show "where" the Hubble Space 
Telescope is located >in real time<.  It even features special icons for 
the HST and ISS, and the Space Shuttle (for when there is an active 
mission running.)  The satellite orbit information is contained in TLE 
files, and updates are available from several sources.  Here is Dr. 
Ransom's web pages:
http://www.dransom.com/

Gene Lucas
(17250)

Randy Peterson wrote:

>Next Tuesday, January 17, there will be a good pass over the metro Phoenix 
>area (and a good deal of Arizona) by the International Space Station.  At 
>about 6:25 pm MST, face north, and look to the northwest.  It is bright enough 
>that you don't need optical aid, being brighter than Mars.  At about 6:28 pm 
>it will pass roughly overhead.  It will be fading into the southeast horizon a 
>bit after 6:30 pm.  Yep, a bit over 5 minutes from horizon to horizon, so if 
>you don't set a timer to remind you to go outside to look, you'll miss it.
>Hold on - the show's not over yet!  About eleven minutes later that same 
>night, at about 6:41 pm MST, face south, and look to the west-southwest.  
>Bright enough to be seen naked eye (but considerably dimmer than the ISS) will 
>be the Hubble Space Telescope, shining a bit dimmer than Polaris.  At 6:45 pm, 
>it will pass due south at about 42 degrees altitude from the Phoenix area - 
>about half way from the southern horizon to your zenith (straight up).  At 
>6:48 pm, it will fade into the east-southeast horizon.
>
>Check it out at Heavens Above: http://www.heavens-above.com/
>
>I have watched these with binoculars in the past on occasion, but just 
>watching with my unaided eye seems more satisfying to me.  Clear skies!
>
>Randy Peterson
>EVAC Events co-coordinator
>events@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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